Chittagong Kings suffered a 37-run defeat to Khulna Tigers despite Shamim Hossain's brave innings in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 encounter at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday (Dec 31).
Shamim hit 78 off just 38 balls with seven fours and five sixes, however, found no support from the fellow batters as Chittagong were dissmissed for 166 in 18.5 overs, chasing 204.
Pacer Abu Hider was the pick of the bowlers despite being on the expensive side, going for 44 runs but claiming four wickets.
Earlier, Mahidul Islam Ankon hit a half-century in just 18 balls – the fastest ever for a Bangladeshi in BPL – remaining unbeaten on 59 off just 22 balls while Australian opener William Bosisto top-scored with 75 not out off 50 balls to power Khulna to 203-4 after they were sent to bat first.
Aliss Al Islam and Khaled Ahmed took two wickets each for Chittagong.
Chasing a huge total, Chittagong were practically out of the game after they were six down in just seven overs with 57 runs on the board.
Shamim then began his counter-attacking knock and was particularly ruthless against left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed, who he took for 21 runs in the 13th over with two fours and sixes apiece.
His heroic knock came to an end in the penultimate over, when he got caught at extra cover while trying to clear the ropes against Hider.
