DHAKA: Defending champions Fortune Barishal began their title defense with a resounding victory over Durbar Rajshahi in a high-scoring Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Despite a shaky start, Barishal overcame Rajshahi by four wickets, successfully chasing down a target of 198 runs with 11 balls to spare.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rajshahi posted a formidable total of 197-7, largely thanks to a stunning, unbeaten 94 by Yasir Ali. The team appeared poised for victory after reducing Barishal to 61-5 in the ninth over. However, veteran cricketer Mahmudullah Riyad, with a spectacular innings of 56 runs from 26 balls, and Fahim Ashraf, who scored an unbeaten 54 off 21 balls, turned the tide in Barishal's favor. Their powerful seventh-wicket partnership of 88 runs from just 47 deliveries secured the victory.
Taskin Ahmed was a standout performer for Rajshahi, claiming 3-31 and briefly putting his team in a strong position. He dismissed key Barishal batsmen, including captain Tamim Iqbal for 7 and Kyle Mayers for 6. Jishan Alam contributed by taking the wicket of Najmul Hossain Shanto on the first ball of the innings. Despite these efforts, the combined onslaught by Mahmudullah and Ashraf proved too much for Rajshahi.
In Rajshahi's innings, Yasir Ali's explosive performance included seven fours and eight sixes. He was ably supported by captain Anamul Haque Bijoy, who scored 65 off 51 balls. Their 140-run partnership for the third wicket provided a solid foundation after a rocky start at 25-2. Kyle Mayers, who took both Rajshahi openers, concluded his bowling spell with impressive figures of 2-13 from three overs.
Barishal's remarkable chase overshadowed Yasir Ali's career-best performance and denied Rajshahi the chance for a winning start to the tournament.