The well-known Mohammad Rafique splay over the legside was on show at Sheikh Kamal International Stadium in Cox’s Bazar on Thursday. He brought back old memories of his maverick allround skills when he helped Confidence Group Dhaka Metro beat Renaissance Rajshahi by eight wickets in the opening match of the Masters Cricket Carnival.
The other match between Jaj Bhuiyan Dhaka Division and Ispahani Chittagong was cancelled due to a wet outfield.
Rafique took 1-8 from his two overs and later blasted 22 runs off eight balls in the chase.
The match was reduced to eight-overs a side after rain delayed the start by more than two hours. But it didn't stop the players of the six teams from enjoying their reunion in the dressing rooms.
Dhaka Metro captain Khaled Mahmud won the toss and elected to field. Rajshahi openers Hannan Sarker and Rafiqul Islam gave a good start with a 35-run stand in five overs. But Rajshahi could not capitalise and eventually ended their innings with just 50 runs in eight overs. Hannan top scored with 19 runs.
The crowd got excited when Khaled Mashud came to crease. Mahmud, his old sparring partner from their days playing for Bangladesh, came into the attack. Mahmud won the battle by conceding just one run in the over.
Dhaka Metro started fast with opener Moniruzzaman making a 10-ball 23 with three sixes. Mushfiqur Rahman brought Rajshahi back into match by picking up both openers in the same over.
But Rafique finished the match in style as he hit two huge sixes in consecutive balls off the left-arm seamer Morshed Ali Khan. Rafique was later adjudged man of the match.Brief ScoreRenaissance Rajshahi 50 for five in eight overs
Hannan 19, Rafiqul 18; Rafique 1-8, Mahmud 1-11
Confidence Group Dhaka Metro 51 for two in 4.5 overs
Moniruzzaman 23, Rafique 22; Babu 2-1Result: Confidence Group Dhaka Metro won by eight wickets
Thursday, April 25, 2024
