DHAKA, Dec 12, 2024 (BSS)—Opener Tamim Iqbal further proved he has the fitness and form in his side to make him available for the national team by hitting a 33 ball-65 runs knock that guided Chattogram to a 12-run victory over Sylhet today in the NCL T20 tournament at Sylhet Academy Ground.

Tamim who returned to the competitive cricket with this tournament after seven months, made just 13 in the first match against Rangpur as his side conceded a five-wicket defeat.

But he proved how important his form is for Chattogram. His knock was instrumental in steering the side to 145-9 and the significance of his 65, studded by eight fours and three sixes was further evident in the failure of other batters.

Apart from Tamim, only two batters reached double digits with his opening partner Mahmudul Hasan Joy making 29 and Sabbir Hosan Sikdar adding 15.

Sylhet’s pacer Syed Khaled Ahmed wrecked havoc on Chattogram by claiming 4-19 from three overs.

Sylhet which lost the first game to Dhaka by six wickets despite a blitzkrieg ton of Jishan Alam were able to put up just 133 before being all out in 14.2 overs and thereby tasted their second straight defeat in the tournament.

Fresh from his 53 ball-100, Jishan received a first-ball-duck to give Sylhet a horrible start. But his opening partners Taufiq Khan Tushar came down heavily on Chattogram bowlers to keep waging a long battle.

No.3 and 4 batters of Sylhet Amite Hasan and Asadullah Galib also were out for duck. But Taufiq Tushar stood alone to smash an audacious 36 ball-76, an innings laced with seven fours and six sixes.

When he was dismissed as the sixth batter, Sylhet were 106 in 10.3 overs. Even though they had just four wickets at hands, the chance of victory was still alive. But no batters could take the onus to sail the side home.

Chattogram spinner Hasan Murad and Nayeem Hasan took three wickets apiece to rip through Sylhet.