Mash aging like a fine wine

He may not be in contention for a spot in the national team any longer, but former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and the venom in his deliveries is still making life difficult for the batters that come up against Legends of Rupganj in the Dhaka Premier League.

Bowling with a short run-up yesterday, the 39-year-old single-handedly demolished Mohammedan's batting line-up as they were bundled out for just 80 runs in 22.4 overs. He ended with figures of five wickets for 17 runs in 8.4 overs, which included three maidens. In the process, he became the oldest Bangladeshi to pick up a five-wicket haul in List A cricket.

Courtesy of Mashrafe's seventh five-wicket haul in List A competition, Rupganj clinched a comprehensive 10-wicket win as Mohammedan continue to search for a first win after five games.

The charismatic cricketer showed his class with the ball despite not being as quick as he used to. Instead, he used slowers and cutters to perfection. Using the angle of the crease to dismiss the left-handed Imrul Kayes was another example of how Mash employed his wiles.

He also became the first Bangladeshi to scalp 450 wickets in List A competition. Mashrafe now has 452 wickets in 324 games. With eleven wickets in four matches, the 'Narail Express' is also the leading wicket taker in the DPL so far.