Bangladesh High Performance team began their Top End T20 campaign with a commanding nine-wicket victory over Nepal A in Darwin on Saturday, chasing down 100 with 58 balls to spare.
The win was built around a superb spell from mystery spinner Mohammad Rubel, who claimed 4-18 in four overs after Nepal were restricted to 99-9. Jisan Alam then finished the job with an unbeaten 52 from 29 balls.
Rubel set the tone from the powerplay, giving away only six runs in his opening three overs while repeatedly troubling Nepal’s top order. He struck twice in his second over after removing Anil Sah in his first, leaving Nepal struggling at 13-5.
Ripon Mondol added to Nepal’s problems by dismissing Pawan Sarraf, while Barshan and Samiun Bashir claimed one wicket each.
Kushal Bhurtel offered the strongest resistance for Nepal, making 46 from 40 balls with three fours and a six. He was involved in partnerships of 32 with Shahab Alam and 29 with Rijan Dhakal, but Nepal never found the acceleration required to post a competitive score.
Shahab made 11 from 23 balls, while Rijan contributed 10 as Nepal crawled to 99-9 from their 20 overs.
Bangladesh’s chase was then driven by Jisan, who quickly shifted the momentum after a cautious start. The opener smashed two fours and a six in the first over and never allowed Nepal back into the contest.
Jisan reached his half-century from 27 balls and finished with four sixes and three fours. Ariful Islam provided excellent support at the other end, remaining unbeaten on 34 from 27 deliveries, including three fours and a six.
The pair added 67 for the second wicket after Habibur Rahman Sohan was dismissed for seven, taking Bangladesh to victory in 10.2 overs.
The comfortable result gives Bangladesh HP an ideal start to their Top End T20 campaign, with Rubel’s four-wicket haul and Jisan’s explosive half-century providing the standout performances.
