Shahriar Nafees was promoted to No 3 in the Barisal Bulls batting order and the left hander played a brilliant innings of 63 from 44 balls. Shahriar formed a crucial 112-run partnership with skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and built a solid platform for his side. Shahriar looks fitter these days as the southpaw played some superb shots during his innings, just like he did in his prime. A confident pull shot against Darren Sammy over mid wicket or the huge six over extra cover against pacer Kesrick Williams proved that Shahriar is very much on song and more runs are likely to come his way in this year’s Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20.
Barisal captain Mushfiq raises his bat after reaching his half-century DHAKA TRIBUNEMushfiq's response to Williams
The Barisal skipper produced a perfect batting display against Rajshahi. All of his four sixes came through his favourite trademark slog-sweep. But the six against Rajshahi pacer Williams in the 18th over was a special one. Williams had some choice words with Mushfiq and the atmosphere heated up after some exchange of words. Probably Williams said something that Mushfiq did not like in the 19th over. In the same over, Mushfiq slog swept the pacer for a huge six over mid-wicket. And soon after Mushfiq hit the ball, he pointed to Williams and gestured him to follow the ball as it disappeared over the mid-wicket fence. A strong reply indeed from the Barisal captain.
Barisal paceman Al Amin Hossain celebrates the fall of a Rajshahi wicket DHAKA TRIBUNEMysterious lbw by the umpire
Rajshahi were chasing a huge target of 193 and the incident happened in the sixth over. Mominul Haque just got out and then came Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal. Al Amin Hossain bowled a straight delivery and Umar tried to defend but failed with the ball hitting his pads. Al Amin was going back to his bowling mark and suddenly realised that the Pakistan umpire Khalid Mahmud raised his finger. Al Amin burst into joy as it seemed he did not see it coming. No fielders, including wicket-keeper Mushfiq, cared to appeal. But the umpire stayed put and batsman Umar was stunned. It was more painful for Rajshahi as the TV replays showed that it was not out with the ball was missing leg-stump. The height was an issue as well.
Comilla Victorians' Rashid Khan celebrates his wicket with teammates DHAKA TRIBUNERashid makes his mark on BPL debutAfghanistan leg spinner Rashid Khan made his debut for Comilla Victorians against Khulna Titans. He bowled some impressive deliveries during his four-over spell. Khulna were cruising at one stage but then Rashid came on to bowl in eighth over and checked the run-rate. He also bowled economically in the 10th over and did not give away any boundary in his first two-over spell. He bowled a few googlies and produced some sharp turn which restricted the batsmen from playing shots. Khulna batsman Kevon Copper hit a six and a four in the last two deliveries of his spell. Otherwise he could have ended up conceding below 20 runs, considered magical in T20. He eventually gave away 25 runs, besides dismissing Ariful Haque.