At the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, Odommo clinched a thrilling three-wicket victory over Aporajeyo in the Victory Day friendly match organised by the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB).
Chasing 167, Odommo rode on a brilliant knock from Naim Sheikh, who smashed 76 off 44 balls to anchor the run chase. After early setbacks with Habibur Rahman Sohan and Tanzid Hasan Tamim departing cheaply, Naim took control of the innings. He brought up his fifty off just 27 balls and played strokes all around the ground. Before being bowled by Ripon Mondol, Naim struck 10 fours and three sixes to register the highest score of the match.
Towhid Hridoy supported him with a quick 25 from 17 balls, while Afif Hossain added 18 off 11 deliveries. The match stretched to the final over as Odommo lost wickets in the middle, but captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz held his nerve with an unbeaten 14 off 10 balls. A boundary from Mohammad Saifuddin eventually sealed the win. Ripon was the standout bowler for Aporajeyo with figures of 3 for 28 from four overs.
Earlier, after losing the toss, Aporajeyo were put under pressure early by Shoriful Islam, whose sharp inswingers dismantled the top order. Parvez Hossain Emon fell in the very first over. However, Zeeshan Alam counterattacked aggressively, scoring 44 of the team’s first 50 runs. He made 44 off 22 balls with six fours and a six before being dismissed.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto started cautiously, while Mohammad Mithun failed to settle. With three wickets down for 57, Aporajeyo never regained momentum. Jaker Ali showed some intent with 23 off 13 balls, and Abdul Gaffar Saklain added a quick 17, but no batter could convert the start into a big innings. Shoriful Islam and Mohammad Saifuddin picked up three wickets each to restrict Aporajeyo to 166.
