‘Ifti Mania’ continues in BPL
He scored another fifty on Friday
Iftikhar Ahmed, popularly known as Ifti Mania, continued his red-hot form after top-scoring for Fortune Barishal against Khulna Tigers on Friday in Mirpur during the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
The right-hander played an explosive unbeaten knock of 51 runs in 31 balls despite scoring only 13 runs in his first 15 balls. Iftikhar’s innings included three fours and three sixes.
He is currently the joint second highest run-scorer in BPL 2023 with 347 runs at an average of 69.4 and strike-rate of 161.4.
Iftikhar’s fifty helped Barishal post 194-5 in 20 overs with opener Fazle Mahmud (39 off 29) and captain Shakib Al Hasan (36 off 21) being the other notable contributors.
Earlier in the tournament, Iftikhar wreaked havoc during his side's clash with Rangpur Riders at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.
Iftikhar was sensational as smashed a blistering 100 runs off just 45 balls, laced up with six fours and nine maximums.
Iftikhar came in to bat with Barishal reeling at 46-4, but the Pakistan batter rose to the occasion and stitched a massive 192-run partnership with skipper Shakib Al Hasan to help his side post a mammoth 238 runs on the scoreboard.
Meanwhile, Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf was at the receiving end as he gave away 42 runs in his four overs while picking up two wickets.
In his last and the innings 19th over, Rauf was bashed for 24 runs which included three consecutive sixes by Iftikhar.
Pakistan players have been allowed to participate in the BPL till February 8, according to sources.
However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s decision is only applicable on those who are not part of the upcoming exhibition match in Quetta between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators.
The players who will participate in the exhibition match on February 5 had been asked to return home by February 2.
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