True to their name, Dhumketu XI got off to a flying start. Duronto XI were no match in front of a host of national-team stars. In the opening match of the Bangladesh T20 Cup, twin fifties from Saif Hassan and Liton Das powered Dhumketu past Duronto’s target of 144 with 23 balls to spare. The tournament began with a comfortable six-wicket victory for Dhumketu XI.
Dhumketu made 146-4 in 16.1 overs in reply to Durtonto’s 143 in 19.5. Saif made 50 off 30, while Litton Das remained unbeaten on 65 from 43.
Put in to bat first, Duronto made a brisk start as Jishan Alam struck a quick 14 off six balls before Tanzim Hasan provided the first breakthrough. Duronto reached 45 for 1 in the powerplay but then found scoring difficult against the Dhumketu spinners, led by Rishad.
The pressure resulted in three quick wickets. Azizul Hakim and Ariful Islam were caught, while Mahfijul Islam was run out for 39 off 36 balls.
Akbar Ali and SM Meherob added 28 runs in a brief recovery, but Rishad struck again to remove Duronto captain Akbar for 18 off 10 balls. Carrying his fine form from the Big Bash League with the Hobart Hurricanes, the leg-spinner finished with figures of 3 for 21 from four overs.
Dhumketu’s pacers then took control at the death. Tanzim Hasan dismissed Mahidul Islam before Shoriful Islam claimed two wickets in two balls, removing super-sub Zawad Abrar and Rakibul Hasan.
Abdul Gaffar Saqlain hit consecutive sixes off Tanzim to raise hopes of a strong finish, but Duronto managed only 11 runs in the final two overs. Mustafizur Rahman, who conceded 14 runs in his opening over, dismissed Saqlain in the final over to finish with figures of 1 for 16.
Shoriful Islam and Tanzim Hasan picked up two wickets each, conceding 30 and 37 runs respectively, while off-spinner Mahedi Hasan ended with 1 for 19.
Dhumketu’s chase followed a similar pattern. Tanzid Hasan fell for 17 off eight balls after adding 34 runs for the opening stand with Saif Hassan. Saif and Liton then took control, scoring 62 runs in the powerplay and adding a match-winning 78-run partnership for the second wicket.
Saif reached his fifty off 29 balls with four fours and three sixes before being dismissed by Meherob. Liton brought up his half-century from 34 balls, striking 10 fours without clearing the ropes.
Meherob finished with figures of 3 for 23 after also removing Parvez Hossain and Towhid Hridoy, but by then the result was all but decided.
