Abahani off to a winning start in Bangabandhu DPL T20
Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten on 38 off 26 deliveries to guide his team chase down 70 runs in 9.2 overs
Star-studded Abahani Club Limited started the Bangabandhu DPL T20 campaign with a 7-wicket (D/L method) win over Partex Sporting Club at Mirpur.
Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten on 38 off 26 deliveries to guide his team chase down 70 runs in 9.2 overs after rain halted the proceedings after the first innings and cut the chase short to 10 overs for his team
Earlier, Partex Sporting Club scored 120 for 5 from their allotted 20 overs. Their captain Tasamul Haque top-scored with 65 off 54 balls to his name.
For Abahani, Taijul Islam and Mehedi Hasan Rana picked up a brace each. Taijul finished his spell with a bowling figure of 4-0-12-2. Mehedi was a tad expensive as he gave away 31 runs from his 3 overs.
Rain came down pouring as soon as the first innings was played. The chase was cut short to 10 overs and Abahani required 70 runs to win according to D/L method.
For a batting line-up consisting of the likes of Najmul Hossain Shanto, Naim Sheikh, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain and Saifuddin - 70 runs seemed like an easy total to chase. But it was not that easy in the end.
Mushfiq had to play the saviour role again as the openers - Shanto and Naim - and Afif failed. It was a comfortable but nervy win for the Sky Blue Brigade.
Elsewhere, the matches between Brothers Union - Prime Doleshwar and Legends of Rupganj - OLD DOHS Sports Club were abandoned due to heavy rain at BKSP ground 3 and 4.
OLD DOHS Sports Club bagged 171 runs for the loss of 4 wickets before the rain arrived. Mahmudul Hasan Joy starred the show with an unbeaten 78 off 55 balls.
Brief score:
Partex Sporting Club: 120/5 (20.0 Ov)
Abahani Club Limited: 72/3 (9.2 Ov)
Abahani Club Limited won by 7 wickets