Two matches on the same pitch, and both saw scores above 190. On the opening day of the BPL, the wicket at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla Stadium was a paradise for batsmen. In the first match, Rajshahi’s formidable 197 wasn’t enough to secure a win against Fortune Barishal. However, in the second game, Rangpur Riders defended their 191-run total, winning by 40 runs. Despite the victory, they couldn’t bowl Dhaka Capitals out, who managed 151/9 in their 20 overs under the leadership of Thisara Perera.
The new BPL franchise Dhaka Capitals has superstar Shakib Khan among its owners. The actor came to the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium to watch his team’s first match from the President’s Box. However, his debut as a team owner ended in disappointment with a loss.
Chasing the big target, Dhaka’s openers Tanzid Hasan (30 off 21) and Litton Das (31 off 27) gave a solid start, putting up a 65-run stand in 7.3 overs. But Rangpur’s off-spinner Mehidy Hasan turned the game around, taking four wickets within three overs, conceding just 10 runs. In the eighth over, he dismissed Tanzid and one-down batter Habibur Rahman, followed by Litton and Formanullah in the 10th over.
Dhaka lost their grip on the match from there. The middle order and lower order couldn’t keep up with the asking rate. The pitch, which seemed perfect for batting earlier, looked challenging as the game progressed. For Rangpur, Khushdil Shah took two wickets, while Kamrul, Rakibul, and Saifuddin picked one each.
Earlier, despite losing openers Steven Taylor and Alex Hales within three overs, Rangpur built their innings around an 89-run partnership between Saif Hasan and Pakistan’s Iftikhar Ahmed for the third wicket. Saif scored 40 off 33 balls, while Iftikhar added 49 off 38.
Khushdil Shah’s unbeaten 46 off 23 balls, laced with three sixes and three fours, gave Rangpur the final push. Alongside captain Nurul Hasan, he added 41 runs in just three overs. Nurul’s aggressive 25 off 11 balls included six boundaries.
For Dhaka, Alauddin Babu took three wickets for 43 runs, while Mukidul Islam grabbed two for 27.
Brief Scores
Rangpur Riders: 191/6 in 20 overs (Iftikhar 49, Khushdil 46*, Saif 40; Alauddin 3/43, Mukidul 2/27)
Dhaka Capitals: 151/9 in 20 overs (Litton 31, Tanzid 30, Mukidul 18; Mehidy 4/27, Khushdil 2/15)
Result: Rangpur Riders won by 40 runs.
Player of the Match: Khushdil Shah.
