Mashrafe returns, but fails to rescue Dhaka

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza made his first appearance in the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League 2022 on Tuesday, but could not change Minister Dhaka’s fate as they picked up their third defeat in four matches.

At the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, Dhaka were beaten comprehensively by Sylhet Sunrisers, who won by seven wickets with ultimate ease.

Mashrafe managed to pick up two wickets in the match, his first since the Bangabandhu T20 Cup in October 2020, but with only 100 runs on board, his efforts were not enough to gift
Dhaka a win.

Batting first, Dhaka were in trouble from early on. They lost both openers, Tamim Iqbal (3) and Mohammad Shahzad (5), within the third over, before losing Jahurul Islam (5) in the final over of the powerplay.

Mohammad Naim put together a 40-run stand with skipper Mahmudullah Riyad, but the left-handed opener’s batting approach was questionable as he scored 15 off 30 deliveries.

Nazmul Islam Apu sent Naim back in the 13th over, and in the same over, he trapped Andre Russell LBW. Both the Caribbean and Dhaka skipper Mahmudullah were discontent with the decision as the ball appeared to hit
Russell’s bat before hitting his pads.

Mahmudullah was also dismissed off Nazmul, but Shuvagata Hom’s 21 off 16 balls and Rubel Hossain’s 12 off six deliveries took them to three figures as they were bowled out for 100.

Nazmul picked up four wickets for Sylhet, with Taskin Ahmed picking up three.

In reply, Sylhet lost Simmons (16) to Mashrafe in the fourth over, but a 38-run stand between Mohammad Mithun and Anamul Haque settled the ship.

Left-arm spinner Hasan Murad got rid of Mithun, but Anamul continued and looked on his way to get a fifty. But with only two more runs to get, Anamul was dismissed by Mashrafe on 45.

Colin Ingram and Ravi Bopara then took them home with seven wickets and three overs in hand.

This defeat now puts Dhaka in danger as they have won only one match from four games, and have only two points on board.

After the match, Dhaka skipper Mahmudullah praised Mashrafe for his performance.

“His performance is inspiring for us. He has worked hard on his fitness and bowling skills to come back after more than a year. He got two wickets, but we could not do well as a team,” he said.

Dhaka batsman Tamim told the media that they have failed to play as a team in this tournament so far.

“We are not playing good cricket. We have lost three matches, and the one we won, we won luckily. We have bowled well but failed to bat well. This is the reason. There is no point in blaming the wicket. Today’s wicket was good compared to the other matches. We did not bat well,” Tamim said.

The Bangladesh ODI skipper added that such performances were making it difficult for them to qualify for the playoffs, where four out of six teams will play.

“It is becoming more and more difficult for us to reach the playoffs. We must win the maximum number of matches in the next six. At least four, to qualify for the playoffs. It’s a big task, but not impossible. We are a good team with quality players. But we have failed to perform as a team,” Tamim said.

Dhaka’s next match is against the same opponents in Chattogram on Friday.