It was the final over of the innings. Dhaka Capitals needed 24 runs off the last over against one of the finest bowling attacks in the Bangladesh Premier League. Sylhet Titans’ left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir, a death-over specialist, ran in to bowl. But Shamim Hossain Patwary barely seemed to care who was at the other end. He reverse-scooped Amir’s fifth-ball wide over third man. The home crowd, which had been roaring in anticipation, fell completely silent.
Who does that?
It was Shamim Hossain Patwary, who brought an unusual quiet over the Sylhet crowd on Thursday at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Dhaka eventually lost the match despite Shamim’s heroic effort, which saw him take Amir for 26 runs, including three fours and one standout six. On the final ball, Amir delivered a perfect yorker, sealing the match for Sylhet by six runs.
Dhaka had been struggling at 89 for six while chasing 173. The top order had collapsed, with Usman Khan the only batter to reach double figures among the first five. But coming in at number six, Shamim refused to give in.
He first targeted Azmatullah Omorzai, Sylhet’s best bowler, who had taken three wickets. But Shamim was unstoppable, hitting 19 runs off just eight balls. The carnage continued as Amir leaked 24 runs from ten balls to the left-hander. Even Sylhet skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz, an experienced off-spinner, could not make any impact.
Shamim finished unbeaten on 81 off 43 balls, including nine boundaries and three sixes. His innings featured his signature scoop, slog sweep, slaps through cover, and of course, the reverse scoop over third man that stunned the crowd.
Yet, despite his brilliance, Shamim had to walk back to the dressing room with a six-run defeat. He admitted the disappointment but stayed positive about his effort. “Yes, of course. You do feel disappointed when you lose a match. But I believed that as long as I was there, I had confidence in myself,” he said at the post-match press conference after Dhaka ended at 167 for eight.
Shamim also reflected on what could have made the difference. “Yes, of course. If someone had given a little support easily, I think the wicket was very good. The match could have easily gone our way,” he added.
He also acknowledged Amir’s brilliant final delivery. “He bowled well. He bowled extraordinarily. So, there was nothing I could do,” Shamim said.
