MIRPUR: Pakistan stars Shaheen Afridi and Faheem Ashraf produced standout performances to guide defending champions Fortune Barishal to a thrilling victory over Durbar Rajshahi in the opening match of the 2024-25 Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) season.
After being asked to bat first, Rajshahi suffered an early setback as Kyle Mayers dismissed Jishan Alam for an opening duck.
Mohammad Haris followed soon after contributing just 13 runs as the team found themselves at 25/2 in 3.1 overs.
The innings stabilized thanks to captain Anamul Haque and Yasir Ali, who formed a formidable 140-run partnership for the third wicket.
Haque’s composite 65 off 51 balls laid a solid foundation before his dismissal for 165/3 in the 18th over.
Yasir Ali then took center stage with a brilliant unbeaten 94 off 47 balls, with seven fours and eight towering sixes, guiding Rajshahi to an imposing 197/3 from his 20 overs.
Barishal’s bowling effort was led by Kyle Mayers (2/13) while Faheem Ashraf scored with a wicket. However, debutant Shaheen Afridi went wicketless in his four-goal spell.
In response, Barishal’s pursuit began on a shaky note.
Najmul Hossain Shanto fell off the first ball of the innings, and captain Tamim Iqbal followed soon after for just seven runs.
A flurry of wickets, including key players like Kyle Mayers (6), Mushfiqur Rahim (13) and Towhid Hridoy (32), left Barishal struggling at 61/5 in 8.1 overs.
Amidst the turmoil, Mahmudullah and Shaheen Afridi formed a crucial 51-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Shaheen contributed a quickfire 27 off 17 balls before his dismissal at 112/6 in 12.2 overs.
The game changed dramatically when Faheem Ashraf teamed up with Mahmudullah to orchestrate an unbeaten 88-run knock, guiding Barishal to victory.
Mahmudullah’s 26-ball 56 coupled with Faheem’s explosive 21-ball 54 with seven sixes ensured a successful chase at 200/6 in just 18.1 overs.
Taskin Ahmed led Rajshahi’s bowling effort with figures of 3/36, while Hasan Murad (31/2) and Jishan Alam (21/1) offered support.
However, his efforts were overshadowed by Barishal’s batting heroics.
