Mushfiqur Rahim made his debut with country’s powerhouse Abahani Limited memorable one as he struck a scintillating century to guide the side to an emphatic 81-run victory over Partex Sporting Club in their first match in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Mushfiqur, also the captain of the side, smashed a 124 ball-127 with 11 fours and four sixes to help Abahani compile a hefty 289-7 after which the bowlers, led by pacer Mehedi Hasan Rana bundled Partex out for 208 in 48.4 overs.
Mushfiqur Rahim came to the crease at a moment when Abahani Limited, which opted to bat first, were at struggling 6-2, losing the inform opener Liton Das and Naim Sheikh.
Both of whom was dismissed for naught with Partex’s little known pacer Jaynul Islam making the most of the damage.
As Mushfiqur Rahim started rebuilding job with caution and aggression, he saw the departure of another inform batsman Nazmul Hossain Shanto who made 15 before leaving Abahani at further precarious 27-3.
But that was not the end of Abahani’s agony. With Mushfiqur Rahim keeping the one end intact, Aminul Islam Biplob and Afif Hossain also failed to accompany him, making the team five down for just 67 runs in 21.4 overs.
However, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, playing his first competitive match after recovering from the injury, came up with an ably support for the captain. Together they added 160-run for the sixth wicket stand to help Abahani survive scare of being potential upset.
During the process, Mushfiqur brought up his 12th List A century and first of this season. The century was also his first in since 2017 in DPL. Jaynul who tormented Abahani initially came back in his second spell to dismiss Mushfiqur Rahim.
Shortly after Mushfiqur’s departure, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat also lost his patience and was removed for 61 off 74 after hitting four fours and two sixes.
Mohammad Saifuddin gave the late impetus, blasting a 15 ball-39 not out with five towering sixes which helped Abahani to closer to 300 runs mark. Taijul Islam was not out on 17. Jaynul scalped 3-28 while Tasamul Haque grabbed 2-29 for Partex.
For a weaker batting line up like Partex, the target was massive and the situation worsened when Mehedi Rana and Saifuddin produced a decisive opening spell to leave them 20-2.
Sayem Al Rizvi and Tasamul Haque kept hitting all the things to keep the asking run rate at their control but Abahani bowlers showed a disciplined show to stall the progress.
The spinner then took the charge in the middle, sparking the collapse before Nazmul Hossain Milon came up with some resistance. He made 53 off 63 with three fours and two sixes but others failed to support him, which indeed caused their downfall.
Mehedi Rana claimed 4-55 to be the most successful bowler for Abahani while Taijul Islam took 2-30.
