Taskin Ahmed creates history as Rajshahi thrash Dhaka
Taskin Ahmed after claiming 7 wickets, Cricfrenzy
In Thursday’s first match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Rajshahi chased down Dhaka’s total of 174 with 11 balls to spare.
Taskin was the star with the ball, taking 7 wickets for 19 runs, the best bowling figures in BPL history. Anamul Haque Bijoy remained unbeaten on 73 off 46 balls, while Ryan Burl smashed 55 off 33 deliveries to guide their team to victory.
Chasing 175, Rajshahi suffered an early setback as Mohammad Haris fell in the first over, caught at slip off Mustafizur Rahman. Anamul Haque Bijoy had a narrow escape before reaching double digits, as Litton Das dropped a catch behind the stumps.
However, Dhaka didn’t have to wait long for another breakthrough, as opener Jishan Alam departed without scoring, caught off Mukidul Islam Mugdho. Yasir Ali Rabbi, who scored 94 in the previous match, looked set for another big innings but fell at a crucial juncture, mistiming a shot off Alauddin Babu to Tanzid Hasan.
From there, Bijoy and Burl steadied the innings, forming a match-winning partnership. While Bijoy played a composed knock, Burl’s aggressive batting eased the pressure of the required run rate. Together, they took Rajshahi comfortably over the line, handing Dhaka their second consecutive defeat in the tournament.
Earlier, Taskin surpassed Pakistani pacer Mohammad Amir’s record of 6 wickets for 17 runs, achieved in 2020 for Khulna Tigers against Sylhet Royals. Taskin’s figures are now the third-best in recognized T20 cricket.
The record is held by Malaysia’s Syazrul Idrus, who took 7 wickets for 8 runs against China in 2023, followed by Colin Ackermann’s 7 for 18 for Leicestershire against Birmingham Bears in England’s Vitality Blast.
Despite Taskin’s fiery spell, Dhaka Capitals managed to post a competitive total of 174 for 9. Taskin struck early, removing Litton Das in his second over with a sharp bouncer that resulted in a catch at slip.
In the fourth over, he dismissed opener Tanzid Hasan, who edged a catch to the keeper while attempting an aggressive shot.
Taskin returned in the 17th over to dismiss Shahadat Hossain Dipu, who had scored 50, and Chaturanga de Silva in quick succession. The pacer saved his best for last, claiming three wickets in his final over while conceding just 2 runs, narrowly missing out on a hat-trick.
