Rubel fifer fires Bangladesh HP into Top End T20 semifinals

Off-spinner Mohammad Rubel continued his sizzling form, claiming a five-wicket haul as Bangladesh High Performance (HP) secured a three-wicket victory over Northern Territory Strike in the Top End T20 Series at Darwin’s Marrara Cricket Ground on Friday.

The victory, Bangladesh HP’s fifth in six matches, took them to 10 points and made them the first team to secure a place in the semifinals.

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Asked to bat first, NT Strike struggled to build momentum and were restricted to 143 for nine in their allotted 20 overs. The Australian club lost wickets at regular intervals, with only three batters crossing the 20-run mark. Jordan Silk top-scored with 31, while Matt Hammond and Caelan McMahon contributed 26 and 25 respectively.

Rubel was the chief destroyer, wreaking havoc on the NT Strike batting lineup. The right-arm bowler, who has built a reputation as a mystery spinner capable of turning the ball both ways, has made the tournament his own. Already the competition’s leading wicket-taker, the off-spinner finished with figures of 5-21, taking his tally to 20 wickets at an economy rate of 6.16.

Chasing 144, Bangladesh HP reached the target with 10 balls and three wickets to spare.

The chase began with a hint of aggression from opener in-form opener Ariful Haque, who fell after making a 10 runs off six balls. His opening partner, Habibur Rahman Sohan, contributed 22 off 18 deliveries, while Shamim Hossain departed for 11.

Sabbir Rahman then anchored the innings. The right-hander looked set for a half-century but fell short, dismissed for a well-made 47 off 37 balls.

Following his departure, the middle order steadily chipped away at the target. SM Mehrob fell for eight, but skipper Irfan Shukkur (17) and Samiun Bashir (14) provided crucial support.

Abdul Gaffar Saqlain eventually finished the job, remaining unbeaten on six off four deliveries to guide Bangladesh HP home.