EBL Champions in The Platinum Cup 2024
Syeed Imran etched his name in the memory book as he produced an innings that sealed the deal for EBL and took the game away from BRAC, who otherwise were clear favourites until the 17th over.
Eastern Bank Limited PLC lifted the first Platinum Cup Bankers Cricket trophy beating BRAC Bank PLC in a thrilling final at the ULAB Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Syeed Imran etched his name in the memory book as he produced an innings that sealed the deal for EBL and took the game away from BRAC, who otherwise were clear favourites until the 17th over.
Batting first in the 100-ball format final, BRAC captain Alauddin Mona scored 35 at the top, but found his team tottering at 76-4 in the 14th over. But a late burst from the veteran Touhidul Islam ensured the Men in Blue reached a more than decent total of 141-5.
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Touhid played some clever shots to finish unbeaten on 49 from 23 balls as he repaired the collapse with Eashan Banik, who scored 23 runs, in a 65-run partnership.
EBL made a good start to the run chase with opener Hossain Rabbi playing a cautious 37-run knock, but the pressure of the final creeped in as they too found themselves in a discomforting situation, 91-4 after 15 overs.
Victory was in sight of BRAC with EBL needing 45 off the last 19 balls, but then came in the "Hurricane imran".
The six-foot tall muscular right-handed batter swept the game away hitting five humongous sixes and a couple of fours in a blistering knock of unbeaten 41 from 12 balls to see the eventual champions EBL (142-4) sail home with two balls to spare.
The Goodwill Ambassadors of the prestigious bankers tournament, Former Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank Muhammad Ali Rumee, former Bangladesh cricketer Yousuf Rahman and former cricket administrator Tanveer Mazhar Tanna graced the day with their presence alongside former Bangladesh cricketer Jahangir Shah Badshah, former Basketball player Noushir Hasan.
Wicketkeeper-batter Mona was named the Most Valuable Player of The Platinum Cup, while Nagib Mahfuz of Prime Bank finished as the Top Run scorer with 272 runs and Imamul Mustakim of EBL finished as Highest Wicket taker with 12 wickets.
HSBC were awarded the Fair Play trophy in the seven-bank competition.
Earlier on Friday, Trust Bank PLC beat Dhaka Bank Ltd to win the Plate Championship while Mercantile Bank PLC bagged the Bowl Championship against Prime Bank PLC.
The tournament was organised by Leo Sports Management and Fusion Sports.
