Ashikur Rahman Shibli fell agonisingly one run short of a century but finished unbeaten on 99 off 84 balls as Legends of Rupganj made a commanding start to their Dhaka Premier League campaign, defeating local rivals Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club by 22 runs in a high-scoring derby.
Legends posted an imposing 283 for 3, with contributions throughout the order. Shibli was the cornerstone of the innings, crafting a near-perfect knock of 99 not out off 84 balls. Irfan Shukkur provided the early momentum with 60 off 51 balls, while Samiun Bashir Ratul blazed 46 off just 22 balls to accelerate the total in the closing overs.
The innings was capped off by captain Sheikh Mahedi Hasan, who produced a devastating cameo of 49 off only 16 balls to push Legends well past 280. For Rupganj Tigers, Sumon Khan, Tonmoy Ahmed and Mahmudul Hasan each picked up one wicket.
Rupganj Tigers made a promising start to their pursuit of 284 but found themselves at 70 for 3 inside the early stages, with the asking rate climbing steeply. Abdul Mazid offered resistance with 41 off 38 balls, though Amit Majumder was far less fluent, managing just 15 off 32 balls.
Kalam Siddiki Aleen injected urgency into the chase with a punishing 78 off 46 balls, and contributions of 23 from Mohammad Abdullah and 27 from Mahmudul Hasan kept Rupganj Tigers in contention. However, it was ultimately Muktar Ali who gave the chase its most dramatic push, smashing a blistering half-century off just 26 balls. Despite his efforts, the target proved just beyond reach, and Rupganj Tigers were bowled out for 261.
For Legends of Rupganj, Shadhin Islam and Nasum Ahmed claimed two wickets apiece, while Masum Khan, Abdul Halim and Ratul each contributed one.
