ZCZC
BSP-09
CRICKET-DPL-ABAHANI
Captain Mushfiqur leads Abahani to winning start in DPL
DHAKA, May 31, 2021 (BSS)—Captain Mushfiqur Rahim led from the front as defending champions Abahani Limited made a winning start to the Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier League (DPL), securing a facile seven-wicket win over Partex Sporting Club in a rain-curtailed match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.
This year’s DPL is dedicated to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to celebrate his birth centenary.
The DPL which is being held in T20 format this year, though saw its reigning champions struggled to make an impact in the opening game before Mushfiqur Rahim brought up his International from into the domestic cricket to help the side win the game.
Partex which elected to bat first put up a moderate 120-5 in 20 overs before rain halted the game. Abahani’s revised target in DLS system stood 70 in 10 overs and they were left in tricky situations being reduced to 47-3 in the eighth over.
Mushfiqur Rahim who was the man of the series in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka just a couple of days ago, stood tall amid the adversities and ensured the side’s victory with 26 ball-38 not out that included three fours and one six. Opener Naim Sheikh was the only other batsman from Abahani who could reach double digit figures with 19.
Partex depended entirely on their captain Tasamul Haque to bring them in safe position after early trouble. Tasamul was unbeaten on 64 off 54, hitting nine fours. Moin Khan was the other notable scorer with 22 while Abbas Musa made 17.
Fast bowler Mehedi Hasan Rana and left-arm spinner Taijul Islam claimed two wickets apiece for Abahani.
Meanwhile two matches in BKSP in the morning were called off due to rain and thereby the teams shared the points between them.
At BKSP-3, the match between Old DOHS and Legends of Rupganj was washed out after DOHS compiled a hefty 171-4 with Mahmudul Hasan Joy leading the way with 55 ball-78 not out. He struck seven fours and two sixes in his innings. The rain then arrived and finally forced the abandonment of the game.
The match between Brothers Union and Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club was called off at BKSP-3 ground after rain’s intervention. Brothers reached 127-7 in 18.4 overs before the game was cancelled.
A total of 12 teams were participating for the most prestigious trophy of the league, which is termed the most coveted domestic tournament. Six matches are being held every day in three venues—Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS), BKSP-3 and BKSP-4.
The league however is the continuation of last year’s league which was postponed due to Covid-19 pandemic last year after one round. The cricketers will play in the previous club. New free players like Shakib Al Hasan (who did not play the previous year) have joined the team with special permission. Instead the format of the league is changed as it will be held in T20 format with the upcoming T20 World Cup in mind.
BSS/SMP/AU/16:45 hrs