DHAKA, Aug 18. 2024 (BSS)-A superb bowling display of Ripon Mondol and Rakibul Hasan helped Bangladesh HP defend 138-6 in impeccable way as they beat Northern Territory Strike by 21 runs in Top End T20 Series semifinal in Australia today.

In other semifinal, Adelaide Strikers beat Pakistan Shaheens by 30 runs to set up final against Bangladesh HP.

The final match, however, will be held today at DXC Arena in Darwin at 12.30 PM (Bangladesh Time).

An in form pacer Ripon claimed 3-36 while left-arm spinner Rakibul Hasan was even more economical as he scalped 2-15 in four overs to help the side restrict Norther Territory Strike for just 117-9.

Northern Territory took the stranglehold of the match early when its openers D'Archy Short and Jake Weatherald added 41 runs for the opening stand.

Off spinner Aliss Al Islam broke through with the wicket of Short after he made 15 off 17 and then Rakibul and Ripon appeared on the stage to enforce a dramatic collapse.

Rakibul dealt a double strike, dismissing Weatherald who made team-best 34 and Lachlan Bang for first-ball-duck in the consecutive deliveries before Ripon got rid of skipper Jacob Dickman in the next for 11.

Their triple strike in short space left Northern at tittering 66-4 and they never recovered from the collapse. Ripon came back with renewed confidence again to rip through the middle order further as Northern innings took a nosedive.

No. 9 batter Carlan Maladay came up with some resistance to make 19 off 11 and that knock eventually helped them to go past 100-run mark.

After being put into bat first, Bangladesh's top order tasted a familiar collapse but middle order led by Shamim Patwari recovered well to post a challenging total on tough surface.

Opener Jishan Alam, who was the only batter to be in form amongst the top order batters made just 4 this time. Afif Hossain who struggled in the whole series finally put some contribution with 22 off 16 but that was not enough to recover the collapse.

With Bangladesh being reduced to 77-5 in 13th overs, Shamim Patwari struck 34 ball-41 with four boundaries to help the side edge closer to 140. Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby made 21 off 20 to give an ably support. 

Matt Hammond snapped 2-32 in four over for Northern Territory Strike.