The Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla Stadium saw chaos today as frustrated fans, unable to secure tickets, broke down the gates. This commotion marked the turbulent start of this year’s BPL. However, the negativity soon faded as the cricketing action on the field delivered an electrifying start to the tournament. Dubar Rajshahi, regarded as one of the weakest teams on paper, set a massive target of 198 runs for reigning champions Fortune Barishal. But the star-studded Barishal chased it down in just 18.1 overs, clinching victory by 4 wickets.
Barishal’s innings began shakily under the pressure of Rajshahi’s formidable total. Nazmul Hossain was trapped LBW by Zishan’s off-spin on the very first ball. In the next over, skipper Tamim Iqbal fell to Taskin Ahmed, also LBW. Kyle Mayers, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Towhid Hridoy couldn’t stabilize the innings either. Reduced to 61/5, Barishal seemed headed for a certain defeat.
Enter Mahmudullah, who stood like a wall against Rajshahi’s bowling attack. The experienced national team cricketer, currently in excellent form, carried that momentum into the BPL. His unbeaten 56 off just 26 balls, featuring 4 sixes and 5 boundaries, came at an astounding strike rate of 215.38. Mahmudullah found timely support from two Pakistani players, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Faheem Ashraf.
Mahmudullah and Afridi stitched a crucial sixth-wicket partnership, adding 51 runs in just 4.1 overs, with Afridi contributing 27 off 17 balls. The momentum began shifting in Barishal’s favor, and Faheem Ashraf’s explosive batting made the task easier. Alongside Mahmudullah, Faheem’s unbeaten 54 off 21 balls, which included 7 sixes and a boundary, sealed the game. The match ended with Faheem smashing a gigantic six off Mrittunjoy, sending the ball onto the Grand Stand roof. Barishal required 58 runs from the last five overs, but Mahmudullah and Faheem’s fireworks ensured victory with 11 balls to spare.
Rajshahi’s Lahiru Samarakoon bore the brunt of Faheem’s assault in the 17th over, conceding 25 runs, including three sixes and a four, all from Faheem’s bat.
Fortune Barishal is one of the strongest teams in this year’s BPL, packed with local and international stars. Alongside skipper Tamim and regular national team captain Nazmul Hossain, Barishal boasts experienced players like Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, and young star Towhid Hridoy. Their foreign lineup includes star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi, and West Indies’ Kyle Mayers.
Despite being the underdogs, Rajshahi began strongly. Losing openers Zishan and Haris within the first 25 runs, skipper Anamul Haque and middle-order batsman Yasir Ali counterattacked brilliantly. Their 140-run partnership for the third wicket dismantled Barishal’s bowling, propelling Rajshahi to a formidable total of 197/3 in 20 overs.
Anamul scored a steady 65 off 52 balls, hitting 5 sixes and 4 boundaries. Yasir, however, was the star, smashing an unbeaten 94 off just 47 balls at a strike rate of 200. His innings included 8 sixes and 7 fours. Yasir might regret missing his century by just 6 runs, but the bigger heartbreak will undoubtedly be Rajshahi’s defeat despite posting 197 runs.
Match Summary:
Dubar Rajshahi: 197/3 in 20 overs (Yasir 94*, Anamul 65; Mayers 2/13, Faheem 1/42)
Fortune Barishal: 200/6 in 18.1 overs (Mahmudullah 56*, Faheem 54*, Hridoy 32, Afridi 27; Taskin 3/31, Murad 2/42, Zishan 1/6)
Result: Barishal won by 4 wickets.
Player of the Match: Mahmudullah
