All-round Mahedi guides Rajshahi to two-run victory

Young Mahedi Hasan turned in an all-round performance to guide Ministers Group Rajshahi to a thrilling two-run victory over Beximco Dhaka in the opening match of the Bangabandhu T20 Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.

The 25-year-old all-rounder conceded just six runs off the last over of the game as Dhaka fell short by two runs despite brilliant efforts from skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (41) and all-rounder Muktar Ali (27 not out).

Mahedi took one wicket for 22 runs in a miserly spell after striking  50 off 32 deliveries to help Rajshahi post a challenging 169 for 9. The all-rounder had hit four sixes and three fours in a blitzkrieg innings before falling to Mehedi Hasan Rana.

Anisul Islam Emon scored 35 and Nurul Hasan added 39 as Najmul Hossain Shanto's Minister Rajshahi posted 169 after being sent in to bat by Mushfiqur Rahim's Beximco Dhaka. Experienced all-rounder Muktar Ali took three wickets for 22 runs for the bowling side.

Fortune Barisal and Gemcon Khulna are slated to face-off in the second game of the day.

Also read: https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/news/the-wait-over-2000005

This T20 competition will feature 24 matches over the next 24 days in double-league format, with each team playing twice against the other teams. It will follow the IPL format in deciding the playoffs and the finalists, with the final scheduled for December 18.

Eighty top-tier domestic players in five franchises will vie for the title and all the matches will be played in Mirpur. The matches will be telecast live on T Sports, the first and only sports-exclusive TV channel of the country. Commentators and broadcasters from around the world have already arrived in Dhaka.