Chasing 174, Dhaka Capitals stumbled early and were reduced to 43 for 5 inside eight overs. Amid the collapse, Shamim stood tall, playing a sensational unbeaten innings of 81 off just 43 balls, striking nine fours and three sixes.
Despite his counter-attacking brilliance, Dhaka fell short at 167 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.Earlier, Sylhet Titans posted a competitive 173 for 5, riding on an all-round batting performance led by Azmatullah Omarzai.
The Afghan all-rounder remained unbeaten on 50 off 24 balls, smashing five fours and three sixes at a strike rate of over 200. He found solid support from Parvez Hossain Emon, who scored 44 off 32 deliveries, while Ethan Brookes provided late impetus with an unbeaten 13 off six balls.
Sylhet’s innings had its ups and downs, losing early wickets including captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rony Talukdar.
However, Omarzai’s late onslaught ensured they crossed the 170-run mark. For Dhaka, Salman Mirza was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 46, while Taskin Ahmed and Mohammad Saifuddin claimed a wicket each.
In reply, Dhaka’s chase never really settled. Mohammad Amir struck early to remove Zubaid Akbari, while Nasum Ahmed and Omarzai dismantled the middle order. Omarzai proved decisive with the ball as well, finishing with figures of 3 for 40, including the key wickets of Saif Hassan, Mohammad Mithun and Mohammad Saifuddin.
Shamim, however, kept Dhaka’s hopes alive till the end, building partnerships with Sabbir Rahman and later with the lower order. The required rate kept climbing, and despite Shamim’s fearless strokeplay, Sylhet’s disciplined bowling in the death overs sealed the contest.
Mohammad Amir (2 for 30) and Nasum Ahmed (2 for 26) were particularly economical, applying constant pressure that ultimately made the difference.
