Dhumketu XI clinched the Odommo Bangladesh T20 Cup title with a thrilling seven-run win over Durbar XI in Monday’s final at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, defending 208 to restrict their opponents to 201 in a last-ball finish.
A final needs drama, big scores, counterpunches and a hero at the death, and this one had it all. Riding on a breathtaking 149-run opening stand between Saif and Tanzid, Dhumketu piled up 208 after being sent in to bat. In reply, Durbar threatened through a blazing fifty from Habibur Rahman Sohan and a counter-attacking knock from Nurul Hasan Sohan.
The match went down to the final ball, and despite Afif Hossain Dhrubo’s defiance, Durbar fell just short. The difference was Mustafizur Rahman’s magic. Dhumketu, led by Litton Das, lifted the trophy in front of a buzzing Mirpur crowd, though notably without the presence of journalists in the press box.
Ironically, Saif and Tanzid might feel a tinge of regret. Their spectacular batting display unfolded in front of empty press seats, as all journalists covering cricket boycotted the match following a BCB warning notice issued to a photojournalist for taking pictures of three directors in the Presidents’ Box.
On the field, however, Mustafizur stole the spotlight. After bowling only two overs in each of the previous two matches, he delivered his full quota of four in the final, finishing with 2 for 33. Defending 16 runs in the last over, he repeatedly troubled Sabbir Rahman with his trademark cutters to seal the win.
Chasing 209, Durbar got the start they needed through Habibur. After a 39 off 17 in the previous game, he went one better in the final, smashing 67 off just 27 balls, decorated with eight fours and four sixes. His assault finally ended when he top-edged a pull off a Mustafizur bouncer to short square leg, where Mukidul held the catch. By then, even a 200-plus total had begun to look vulnerable.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz failed at the top, but Habibur dominated a 70-run stand with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, scoring 65 of those runs himself. Shanto departed soon after, paving the way for Sohan and Afif to launch a counterattack. The pair added 94 runs off 58 balls. Nurul, who had starred against Dhumketu in the group stage, struck a fluent 54 off 32 balls before falling to Mustafizur while attempting a scoop. Afif remained unbeaten on a fighting 60 off 36 deliveries, but it was not enough.
Earlier, after losing the toss, Dhumketu made a flying start. Saif and Tanzid left Durbar’s bowlers searching for answers. After a watchful first over, the onslaught began in the second, targeting Alis Al Islam. In the fifth over, Saif hammered three sixes off Hasan Mahmud. Fourteen more runs came off the final over of the Powerplay from Saifuddin as Dhumketu raced to 66 without loss in six overs.
The momentum carried until the 14th over, by which time the opening stand had swelled to 149. Saif smashed 79 off 44 balls, including seven sixes and four fours, reaching his fifty in 28 deliveries. Even after his dismissal, Tanzid continued the charge, remaining unbeaten till the final ball. The left-hander struck 84 off 54 balls, hitting four sixes and eight fours, the last maximum coming off Khaled in the closing over.
Litton, batting at No. 3, began with two sixes but could not convert his start, departing for 15 off seven balls. Durbar’s bowlers struggled overall, with Saifuddin and Tanvir Islam conceding more than 40 runs each, while Hasan Mahmud and Alis claimed a wicket apiece.
