Bangladesh ‘A’ suffer another defeat in Top End series
Captain Nurul Hasan Sohan during today's match
Bangladesh ‘A’ were on course for victory against Melbourne Stars Academy in the Top End T20 Series after reducing them to five wickets down before reaching the 100-mark. But Jonathan Merlo’s middle-order heroics snatched the game away, handing Nurul Hasan Sohan’s side a 3-wicket defeat with four balls to spare.
With this result, Bangladesh ‘A’ have now lost three out of five matches and dropped to eighth place in the points table of the 11-team tournament.
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Winning the toss in Darwin on Thursday, Bangladesh ‘A’ opted to bat but struggled to accelerate, posting 156 for 8. In reply, Melbourne were reduced to 62 for 4 and 81 for 5 after 12 overs. They still required 76 from the last 8 overs — a challenge they overcame thanks to Merlo.
Batting at No. 5, Merlo struck a match-winning 61 off 38 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes. He was dismissed with 11 runs still needed, but had already set up the chase. Opener Sam Harper also contributed 29 runs.
For Bangladesh ‘A’, the openers added 27 runs before both fell cheaply. Zisan scored 13 off 13, while Naim Sheikh managed 19 off 21 with just one boundary.
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Sohan (33 off 27, 4 fours) and Saif Hasan (45 off 35, 2 fours, 1 six) added 63 runs for the third wicket but without much urgency. Later, Yasir Ali Rabbi’s quickfire 29 off 17 (2 fours, 2 sixes) boosted the total.
In defense, Bangladesh ‘A’ faltered in the slog overs. Melbourne needed 37 from the last 4 overs, and Tofayel Ahmed’s expensive 17th over — conceding 22 runs — proved decisive. Hasan Mahmud (2 for 21 in 4 overs) and Rakibul Hasan (2 for 23 in 4 overs) bowled well, but it wasn’t enough to prevent another defeat.
