Chasing a challenging target of 197, Barishal reached the finish line with 11 balls to spare, thanks to a scintillating partnership between Mahmudullah Riyad and Faheem Ashraf.

Mahmudullah remained unbeaten on 56 off 26 balls, smashing 5 fours and 4 sixes, while Faheem hammered 54 off just 21 deliveries, including 7 sixes.

Rajshahi, powered by Yasir Ali Rabbi’s explosive 94 off 47 balls, had posted a formidable 197/6. Yasir’s knock, laced with 7 fours and 8 sixes, along with Anamul Haque Bijoy’s steady 65 off 51, set a daunting target for the defending champions.

However, Barishal’s chase began on a disastrous note. Najmul Hossain Shanto fell LBW to Jishan Alam on the very first ball of the innings. Skipper Tamim Iqbal followed soon after, trapped LBW by Taskin Ahmed after hitting a six off an upper cut.

Kyle Mayers and Mushfiqur Rahim also failed to make an impact, both falling cheaply to Taskin and Hasan Murad, respectively. Towhid Hridoy’s promising 32 off 23 balls ended when he was dismissed by Murad in the ninth over, leaving Barishal reeling at 91/5.

With the team in deep trouble, Mahmudullah and Shaheen Shah Afridi stitched a vital 51-run stand off 25 balls. Shaheen contributed 27 off 17 with 3 sixes before falling to Taskin.

Mahmudullah then took charge, finding an able partner in Fahim Ashraf. Together, they unleashed a flurry of boundaries and sixes, taking advantage of Rajshahi’s lack of death-over specialists. Fahim’s aggressive hitting ensured Barishal cruised to victory with overs to spare.

Taskin Ahmed was the standout bowler for Rajshahi, picking up 3 wickets, but the lack of support from other bowlers proved costly in the end.

Earlier, Anamul and Yasir played a scintillating knock helped to propelled Rajshahi to a commanding total of 197 runs in their first match back in the league.

 Tamim won the toss and opted to field, a decision that didn’t go in their favor.

Despite an early breakthrough with Jishan Alam being bowled by Kyle Mayers for a duck, Rajshahi quickly recovered. Pakistan's Mohammad Haris showed glimpses of his aggressive style but was dismissed for 14 after mistiming a slower delivery from Mayers.

At 25/2, it seemed like Barishal had the upper hand. However, the partnership between Anamul and Yasir turned the tide, with the duo launching a counterattack that left the Barishal bowlers struggling.