Bangladesh HP beat Perth to confirm semifinal

Bangladesh High Performance (HP) team confirmed
the Top End T20 series semifinal after edging Perth Scorchers by three
wickets in a thrilling contest at Darwin today.

The victory helped HP move to the third spot in the points table with six
points from six matches.

In their crucial match, HP bowlers put up a superb performance to help the
side bolster its position. After winning the toss, the HP sent Perth in to
bat first and restricted them to paltry 129-5.

Perth, nevertheless, denied HP making it a cake-walk as they fought neck-to-
neck before the Bangladeshi side overhauled the target with 130-7 in 19.3
overs.

No. 8 batter Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby played the vital role in thrilling
victory, hitting 13 ball-32 not out. His knock which included two fours and
as many sixes sailed the side home, when Bangladesh looked to taste a defeat
by being reduced to 89-6 in 16.1 overs.

Skipper Akbar Ali made team-best 35 off 33 with one four and three sixes
while opener Jishan Alam scored a run-a-ball-26.

For Perth, opener Teague Wyllie made team-highest 56 and Baxter Holt added
34.

Ripon Mondol and Rakibul Hasan took two wickets apiece for Bangladesh HP. (BSS)