DHAKA, Dec 30, 2024 (BSS)- Defending Champions Fortune Barishal kicked off
their title-defense in emphatic fashion as they recovered from a shaky start
to thrash Durbar Rajshahi by four wickets in high-scoring match of Bangladesh
Premier League (BPL) at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.
 
Rajshahi put up a respectable 197-7, riding on a blazing 94 [not out] of
Yasir Ali and looked well set to win the game when they reduced Barishal to
61-5 in ninth over.

But a magical knock of veteran Mahmudullah Riyad, ably supported by Fahim
Ashraf helped them clinch a victory as they gunned down the total with 11
balls to spare by reaching 200-6.

The 39-year old Mahmudullah hammered 26 ball-56 with five fours and four
sixes and Pakistan recruit Ashraf who smashed a six nonchalantly to seal the
victory was unbeaten on 54, after belting one four and seven towering sixes
in just 21 balls.

They shared 88 off just 47 deliveries for the unbeaten seventh wicket stand
to leave Rajshahi scratching their hair.

Taskin Ahmed claimed 3-31 for Rajshahi and put the side briefly on top before
the hammering of Mahmudullah and Ashraf.

He removed Barishal captain Tamim Iqbal for 7 and Caribbean dangerman Kyle
Mayers for 6 before Jishan Alam removed Najmul Hossain Shanto for duck in the
first ball of the innings.

Towhid Hridoy was the only one from the top order to wage a battle, hitting
23 ball-32. Hasan Murad dismissed Hridoy and veteran Mushfiqur Rahim for 13
in consecutive two overs to make Rajshahi heavily favourite to win the game.

Mahmudullah and Shaheen Shah Afridi who went wicket-less with the ball,
offered resistance first, adding 51 runs for the sixth wicket.

Taskin returned to second spell to break through with the wicket of Shaheen
but Mahmudullah and Ashraf blitz ruined his impeccable effort at the end.

Barishal's victory by overhauling a big target also crushed the party of
Yasir Ali who made his career-best 94 [not out] to give the side a hope of a
winning start.

Yasir Ali smote seven fours and eight sixes off just 47 balls. He got an
ample support captain Anamul Haque Bijoy after Barishal put Rajshahi into bat
first. Bijoy struck 51 ball-65 with five fours and four sixes.

As Yasir was denied his maiden century after taking just single in the
penultimate delivery, Rajshahi's chance to take the score past 200 was also
dented.

Bijoy shared 140-run with Yasir for the third wicket after Rajshahi were at
perilous 25-2.

Kyle Myers who took out both of Rajshahi openers ended with 2-13 in three
overs for a team-best bowling.