On Thursday, Nurul Hasan delivered a remarkable performance in the Bangladesh Premier League, leading the Rangpur Riders to a thrilling last-ball victory against Fortune Barishal in Sylhet. His exceptional display in the final over is now etched in T20 history, ranking as the third-highest score ever achieved in a last over in men's T20 cricket. The only instances surpassing this feat are Somerset's astounding 34 runs in a nine-ball over during the T20 Blast in 2015 and Kolkata Knight Riders’ 31 runs against Gujarat Titans in the 2023 Indian Premier League.
As the pressure mounted during the chase for Barishal's total of 197 runs for five wickets, Nurul Hasan entered the scene with only two runs to his name after facing just one ball. The sequence of events leading to his heroics involved a dramatic slide in the innings, where Rangpur lost four key players, courtesy of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Jahandad Khan. Among the casualties was Mahedi Hasan, who was controversially given out obstructing the field.
Facing a daunting task of scoring 26 runs in the final over, Nurul faced off against Kyle Mayers. The situation turned swiftly as he began the over with a six, dispatched over cow corner. He followed this with a four, skillfully maneuvered over fine leg, another four that just fell short of the boundary at deep square, and a second six that soared into the stands at deep midwicket. As the excitement built, he capped off the over with yet another four through the covers, leaving his team needing just two runs off the last ball. In an electrifying finish, he struck a magnificent six square on the leg side, securing the win for Rangpur. With this victory, Rangpur Riders notched up their sixth consecutive win, maintaining a spotless record and establishing a six-point lead at the pinnacle of the BPL standings.
Post-match, Nurul reflected on past missed opportunities, notably recalling his disappointment from the 2022 T20 World Cup when he failed to chase down 20 runs in the final over against India. He admitted the weight of that moment lingered, asserting that every player aspires to make significant contributions on the grand stage. This time, he deemed his performance as one of his finest, crediting teammates Khushdil Shah and Kamrul Islam Rabbi for their encouragement during the chase. The confidence gained from the first six in that over proved pivotal. He expressed relief at having the ball fall within his striking range, enabling him to deliver when it mattered most.
The 19th over of the match was rife with its own drama. Khushdil Shah opened with consecutive sixes, but the over became increasingly eventful with the loss of three wickets, including an incident involving an obstructing-the-field dismissal. Mahedi Hasan, during his first ball, inadvertently created chaos when he lobbed a catch back to Jahandad Khan, causing Nurul to sprint down the pitch to reclaim the strike. A collision occurred between Nurul and the bowler, prompting an appeal that led to Mahedi's dismissal under Law 37.3.1. This law states that if either batter deliberately obstructs or distracts in a way that interferes with a catch, the striker can be declared out.
Nurul elaborated on the incident, emphasizing that his intention was not to obstruct the bowler and reiterating the unfortunate nature of the situation. The fallout from the match continued even after the victory, as tensions escalated between Barishal captain Tamim Iqbal and some members of the opposition. Although Nurul witnessed some heated exchanges, he was unsure of the specifics surrounding them.
Nafees Iqbal, the Barishal coach, remarked on the post-match climate, highlighting the high emotions typically seen in tightly contested matches like this one. He remained hopeful that the situation was not serious but acknowledged that tensions can run high when matches conclude in such a nail-biting manner. Alex Hales of Rangpur was also caught in the fracas, explaining that he sensed Tamim's ire might have stemmed from the loss, which had evidently frustrated the captain. Hales noted a lack of animosity, sharing that they shook hands despite the charged atmosphere.
The encounter encapsulated the unpredictability and excitement of T20 cricket, highlighting the ability of players like Nurul Hasan to rise under pressure. The match also serves as a reminder of the finer intricacies of the game, including the rules surrounding obstructing the field and the sometimes-overheated nature of competition. With the season still active and competitive, fans can eagerly await what further developments await in the Bangladesh Premier League.