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BSP-15
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Big guns stand tall in DPL’s opening day
DHAKA, May 31, 2021 (BSS)—Country’s big players stood tall for their respective clubs in the Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier League (DPL), which began today after being postponed more than one year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The league which was held in T20 format this year, saw the likes of Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal contributed for the side’s victory in the opening game. Amongst the big guns, only Mahmudullah Riyad failed to make impact.
This year’s DPL is dedicated to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to celebrate his birth centenary.
Abahani vs Partex
Captain Mushfiqur Rahim led from the front as Abahani Limited made a winning start, securing a facile seven-wicket win over Partex Sporting Club in a rain-curtailed match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.
The 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 situation being reduced to 47-3 in 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 figure with 19.
Partex was entirely depended 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.
Mohammedan vs Shinepukur
Country’s powerhouse Mohammedan Sporting Club had to toil hard for their victory in their opening game before Shakib Al Hasan made it easier for them.
After a brief scare, they however overcame the hurdle of Shinepukur Cricket Club by three wickets with one ball to spare at BKSP-4 ground.
Being sent to bat first, Shinepukur was restricted to 129-7 but they kept them in the match until Mohammedan overhauled the target with 129-7 in 19.5 overs.
Captain Shakib Al Hasan played the key role in the victory. After grabbing 2-29 in four overs, he also hit 22 ball29 with two fours and one six, which earned him the man of the match award.
Opener Parvez Hossain Emon was the highest scorer for Mohammedan with 39 runs while Shamsur Rahman Shuvo scored 24.
As the match was in balance till the last over, Abu Haider Rony struck six in the penultimate ball to help Mohammedan win the game.
For Shinepukur, opener Tanzid Hasan was the top-scorer with 30. Robiul Islam scored 25 and Sumon Khan was not out on 23.
Prime Bank vs Gazi Group
Opener Tamim Iqbal blasted a 22 ball-46 as Prime Bank Cricket Club registered an effortless seven-wicket victory against Gazi Group Cricketers at BKSP-3 ground.
In a rain-marred game, that was reduced to 12 overs, Gazi Group scored 91-5 but Prime Bank gunned down it with ease, making 92-3 in 9.2 overs.
Tamim Iqbal, the ODI captain of Bangladesh made the chase a cake-walk, as he cracked two fours and five sixes in his blistering 46 off 22.
Anamul Haque who was the captain of Prime Bank scored just 5 but Tamim’s blazing knock made sure they would remain safe. Rony Talukdar however gave Tamim the necessary support with 19 ball-25.
Fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman and offspinner Nayeem Hasan earlier made the life hell from Gazi Group, picking up two wickets apiece.
Zakir Hasan was the highest scorer for Gazi Group with 26 while opener Mahedi Hasan made 16.
Sheikh Jamal vs Khelaghar
Left-arm spinner Elias Sunny claimed 3-18 as Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club recorded a 22-run victory over Khelaghar Samaj Kallayan Samity at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Electing to bat first, Sheikh Jamal posted a decent 166-6 in the stipulated 20 overs with openers Shykat Ali and Ashraful playing the vital role. Both of them made identical 38 runs to give the side a good start. Captain Nurul Hasan Sohan contributed 22.
Chasing the target of 167, Khelaghar was caught by the spin-web of Elias Sunny to be restricted to 144-8. Sunny’s three-wicket haul was supported by Abdul Halim and Salahuddin Shakil’s two wickets.
Opener Imtiaz Hossain was the top-scorer for Khelaghar with 26 while Masum Khan made 22.
Meanwhile two matches in BKSP at 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 were washed out after DOHS complied 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.
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