Pacer Khaled Ahmed’s career-best T20 bowling figure of 4-31 helped Fortune Barishal win their opening match of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) as they beat Rangpur Riders by five wickets at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday.

Khaled claimed the wickets of Rony Talukdar (5) and Shakib Al Hasan (2) in his first over after Barishal sent Rangpur to bat first while he also took two more wickets of Mahedi Hasan (29) and Hasan Mahmud (0) in the final over to restrict Rangpur to 134-9 in 20 overs.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed 2-13 in three overs which included the wickets of Mohammad Nabi (10) and Shamim.

Barishal, in reply, got off to a rollicking start thanks to Tamim Iqbal, who hit Rangpur pacer Azmatullah Omarzai for three fours in the first over during the run chase.

Tamim, who was playing his first competitive game since September last year, looked solid at the crease before he was finally dismissed by Nabi after making 35 off 24 balls.

Before Tamim’s dismissal, Shakib, who was playing his first game since his being elected as a member of the parliament, removed the other opener Ibrahim Zadran (12).

Shakib also removed Mushfiqur Rahim (26) during the latter part of the innings but Shoaib Malik (17 not out) and Mahmudullah (19 not out) shared an unbroken stand of 25 runs for the sixth wicket to take their side to 138-5 in 19.1 overs and hand Rangpur a big defeat in the contest.

Shakib and Hasan Murad took two wickets each for Rangur.

Khaled was named player of the match for his outstanding bowling performance.

Rangpur will play their next match against Sylhet Strikers on Tuesday while Barishal will take on Khulna Tigers on Monday, both in Mirpur, reports Daily Sun. 

bd-pratidin/GR