Even Mashrafe's return can't save Dhaka

Even the return of Mashrafe Bin Mortuza could not save Minister Dhaka from suffering another defeat as they lost to Sylhet Sunrisers by seven wickets in the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Mashrafe made his comeback to competitive cricket after 402 days, since he played in the final match of the Bangabandhu T20 Cup for Gemcon Khulna on December 18, 2020.

The former Bangladesh captain was picked by the Dhaka franchise, which was run by the Bangladesh Cricket Board at that time because of the failure of previous ownership rights holders.

Mashrafe was placed in the highest salary-cap category, which was Tk 70 lakh and no other franchise showed interest in picking him in the initial stage despite his long sabbatical and injury problems.

He missed the first three matches of Minister Dhaka due to injury but Mashrafe was picked in their last game before departing to Chattogram, he picked two wickets but end of the day that was not enough as Dhaka posted a very small total after batting first.

Mosaddek Hossain won the toss and put Dhaka to bat first. He started the innings with the ball and picked Tamim Iqbal very early in the match.

Tamim was out for just three runs, he was trapped leg before wicket though he showed great discontent against the umpire's decision.

Dhaka kept losing wickets at regular intervals, and they were all-out for only 100 runs.

Mohammad Naim scored 15 runs but played 30 balls while Mahmudullah was the top-scorer with 33 runs.

In reply, Sylhet reached home in 17 overs for the loss of three wickets. Anamul Haque scored 45 runs.

Nazmul Islam was judged man of the match for his impressive bowling figure of 4-1-18-4.

Sylhet registered their first win whilst Dhaka lost their third match in four matches so far.