Bangladesh Lose to Scotland on a Last-Ball Six Despite Sohan and Mritunjoy Storm in Hong Kong Sixes
In the Hong Kong Sixes, Habibur Rahman Sohan announced Bangladesh's intent by hitting a six off the very first ball after coming out to bat. Sabbir Rahman, coming to the strike on the next ball, also hit a six. The first over produced 26 runs, 19 of them from Sohan. But despite that storming start, Bangladesh ultimately had to begin the tournament with a defeat against Scotland.
The flying start did not last long. Sohan was out for 25 off just 6 balls, an innings containing 4 sixes. Sabbir could not last long either, departing for 8 off 4 balls. Losing two quick wickets put Bangladesh under pressure.
Chowdhury Mohammad Rizwan and Ahrar Amin Piyan could not absorb that pressure. Piyan scored 7 off 6 balls and Rizwan 3 off 6. With no boundary coming for 13 balls in the middle, the pace of Bangladesh's innings slowed considerably.
Captain Abu Haider Rony then tried to take the team forward with a counter-attack, playing a storming innings of 25 off 9 balls. At the other end, Mohammad Mritunjoy kept the runs coming. Bangladesh eventually finished on 94 for 5 in 6 overs, with Mritunjoy unbeaten on 21 off 6 balls.
In reply, Scotland too were under pressure at the start. After scoring 19 in the first over, they could not take a single run off the first four balls of the second. But opener Finlay McCreath held one end and took control of the match for his side.
McCreath scored 52 off just 19 balls. Under Hong Kong Sixes rules, a batter must leave the field after reaching a half-century. Even after McCreath's departure, Scotland did not lose control of the match. After Mackenzie Jones was out, the team took a tactical decision — declaring the next two batters retired out to give McCreath the chance to return to bat.
Four runs were needed off the last ball to win. At that moment, Jarvis hit a six to seal Scotland's victory. Bangladesh's 94 runs were not enough.
Bangladesh have had to start this year's Hong Kong Sixes with a defeat. The challenge now for Sabbir, Sohan and their teammates is to bounce back in the next match against Sri Lanka. Bangladesh's next match in the tournament is against Sri Lanka, at 11:20 am Bangladesh time.
