Mashrafe’s wickets fail to inspire Dhaka

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza returned to competitive cricket after 13 months but his presence failed to lift Dhaka as they lost by eight wickets against Sylhet Sunrisers in their BPL fixture in Mirpur on Tuesday.

The Former Bangladesh captain had last played a competitive match in December 2020 when he appeared for Khulna in Bangabandhu T20 Cup. In the final of the tournament on December 18, Mashrafe had gone wicketless for 40 runs with the ball and scored just five.

The 38-year-old pacer returned much fitter yesterday and although he could score only two runs, he bagged two out of the three opposition wickets.

Nazmul Islam was the wrecker-in-chief for Sylhet. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

After being asked to bat, Dhaka could only post 100 before being bowled out in 18.4 overs, with captain Mahmudullah top-scoring with 33 and Shuvagata Hom adding 21.

Former national team spinner Nazmul Islam Apu bagged four wickets for 18 runs.

The chase was smooth from Sylhet, who lost three wickets and needed 17 overs to reach the target. Anamul Haque top-scored with 45 for Sylhet. While Mashrafe didn't find much support from the other end, the wily pacer showed his guile with two wickets for 21 runs, accounting for Lendl Simmons and Anamul.