Mahmudullah keeps promise to Gemcon Khulna owners

Gemcon Khulna captain Mahmudullah has kept his promise to the team owners, Gemcon Group, of winning the Bangabandhu T20 Cup.

Mahmudullah’s relation with one of the biggest business groups of the country, Gemcon Group, goes back to year 2016 when the cricketer first joined Gemcon’s Bangladesh Premier League T20 franchise Khulna Titans. 

After leading Khulna Titans for three years at a stretch and remaining title less, year four saw Bangladesh T20 captain Mahmudullah take charge of Gemcon Khulna in the just concluded Bangabandhu T20 Cup.

Middle-order batsman Mahmudullah’s unbeaten 70 off 48 balls and leadership in the championship decider against Gazi Group Chattogram saw Gemcon Khulna have the last laugh, winning the game by five runs at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka Friday evening.

Gemcon Khulna lifted the trophy amid wild celebrations while Mahmdullah was relieved to have been able to keep his promise made prior to the tournament.

“I cannot ask anything more than this. Credit is due to the bowlers, batsmen and fielders for the brilliant effort they had put in the final. I am on cloud nine to have been able to meet our expectation (of winning the tournament),” said Mahmudullah to the media following the grand finale late into the chilly Friday winter night.

Performance-wise Gemcon Khulna did not match the level of expectations in the league stage.

Following the players’ draft of the tournament, inclusion of both Mahmudullah and Shakib al Hasan, backed by a good number of names from the national circuit, the squad was star studded and undoubtedly the strongest on pen and paper. 

While in the last four games, the side roped in former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza from a lottery.

Gemcon Khulna began the campaign with a nail-biting win but suffered defeats in the next two games. 

They later bounced back hard, winning match No 3, 4 and 5. 

Despite the defeats in the last league phase games, the eight points and a decent net run rate saw Gemcon Khulna cruise to the Qualifier 1, finishing second in the table, behind Chattogram.

Top-order batting was a struggle for Gemcon Khulna which they sensationally overcame in Qualifier 1 against Chattogram, winning big, by 47 runs, to move to the final of the competition.

“Honestly we have not been able to bat to our ability in most matches, including my own performance as well. But I personally made sure not to lose focus and I am happy to have finally made a contribution for the winning cause. I am thankful to my team, especially to Mash (Mashrafe). He has helped me a lot with his experience and in taking decisions at crucial times,” said Mahmudullah.