From a precarious position of 71/4 after 11 overs, the Rangpur Riders staged an impressive recovery to set a formidable total of 187/8 against the Chattogram Challengers at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
Shakib Al Hasan played a crucial role in this turnaround, smashing a boundary-laden 62 off just 39 deliveries, well-supported by Mahedi Hasan, who contributed a memorable 34 at a strike rate of 200. However, the drama unfolded when their partnership of 68 runs was broken in the 17th over, with Mahedi almost sparking a major controversy.
Bilal Khan tempted Mahedi with a slower half-tracker midway through his third over, and the batsman, eager to capitalize, went down on his knees for a massive heave. However, he was deceived by the change in pace, missing the ball completely, and was clean bowled.
Frustrated at his dismissal during the crucial death overs phase, Mahedi initially prepared for a big swing across the line in retaliation. However, he wisely backed off just as his bat came close to the stumps, avoiding potential penalties or even a ban from future matches.
— Shanaka Kundu (@KunduShanaka) February 16, 2024
Social media users were quick to draw parallels between Mahedi’s intense reaction and his batting partner Shakib’s infamous antics from 2021 when Shakib kicked the stumps in frustration after being denied an LBW decision, followed by uprooting all three poles and slamming them on the ground in the subsequent over.