Ariful, Sabbir power Bangladesh HP to 23-run win over New Zealand A

Top End T20
Sabbir Rahman [L] and Ariful Islam
Sabbir Rahman [L] and Ariful Islam
Online Desk
Online Desk
Ariful Islam’s explosive half-century and Sabbir Rahman’s unbeaten 62 helped Bangladesh High Performance (HP) post 181 before Rakibul Hasan and Ripon Mondol led a strong bowling effort to restrict New Zealand A to 158 for 8, securing a 23-run victory in the Top End T20 tournament.

New Zealand made a strong start to the chase, reaching 96 for 2 after 10 overs and briefly looking in control. However, Bangladesh’s bowlers turned the game around in the second half of the innings.

Rakibul struck three times, dismissing Matt Boyle for 31, Bevon Jacobs and Max Chu, who made 44.

Ripon Mondol added three wickets as New Zealand lost wickets rapidly and finished on 158 for 8. Clarkson also contributed 25, but the chase fell short.

Earlier, Bangladesh lost Jishan Alam for a duck in the third ball of the innings before Habibur Rahman Sohan and Ariful rebuilt the innings. Sohan made 26 off 21 balls, while captain Irfan Shukkur managed only three.

With Bangladesh 51 for 3, Ariful and Sabbir took charge, Ariful reached his fifty from 33 balls and eventually made 71 off 48, including seven fours and two sixes, before being bowled by Jayden Lennox.

Sabbir was even more aggressive, reaching his half-century from just 27 balls. He remained unbeaten on 62 off 36 balls as Bangladesh finished on 181.

The victory was Bangladesh HP’s fourth in five matches in the Top End T20 tournament.

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