Yasir, Muktar star as Dhaka beat Rajshahi

Beximco Dhaka registered their second consecutive win in the Bangabandhu T20 Cup with a 25-run victory over Minister Rajshahi in yesterday's second fixture at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

Fazle Mahmud kept the hopes of Rajshahi alive while chasing 176, but the left-hander departed after scoring team-high of 58 as Rajshahi were eventually bundled out for 150, succumbing to their third defeat in five games.

Pacer Muktar Ali was the pick of the bowlers for Dhaka with four wickets while young pacer Shafiqul Islam picked up three wickets.

Earlier, Dhaka were struggling on 48 for three before skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and Yasir Ali steadied the ship.

Mushfiqur departed after scoring 37 off 29 balls but Yasir, then pairing up with young Akbar Ali, started to rebuild the innings. The two went on to add the highest partnership of the tournament, that of 100 runs for the fifth wicket, changing the scenario of the match dramatically.

In-form Yasir scored the innings highest of 67 off just 39 balls, featuring nine fours and a six before being dismissed by Farhad Reza in the last over.

Akbar remained unbeaten on 45 off 23 balls as Dhaka added 58 runs off the last four overs to post 175 for five in 20 overs.

Scores in brief:

Dhaka: 175 for 5 (Yasir 67, Akbar 45 not out; Mukidul 2-38)

Rajshahi:  150 all out in 19.1 overs (Fazle 58; Muktar 4-37, Shafiqul 3-31)

Result: Dhaka won by 25 runs