|| CF DESK ||

Bangladesh's former ODI captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza made a resounding return with a fifer to the field, showcasing his prowess in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) for Legends of Rupganj against Gazi Group Cricketers today. 

Mashrafe could play just five matches in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) before he had to leave the tournament due to political engagements.

Gazi Group Cricketers, sent in to bat, found themselves struggling against Mashrafe's masterful bowling, eventually being bundled out for a mere 136 runs. Mashrafe's finished with five for 19 in 8 overs.

Despite employing a shortened run-up, his precision in line and length, coupled with subtle variations, proved to be a daunting challenge for the opposition batters.

Mashrafe's initial breakthrough, a caught and bowled dismissal of Pritom Kumar for 14, set the tone for his exceptional spell. Subsequently, he orchestrated a pivotal double-wicket over, accounting for the dismissals of Sabbir Hossen and Foysal Ahmed, before returning to claim the crucial wicket of Moin Khan.

His crowning moment arrived in the 23rd over, when he snared Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby to complete his fifer, marking his eighth List A five-wicket haul. Amongst Bangladeshi bowlers, only Abdur Razzak stands ahead of him with nine such achievements.

Rupganj chased down the target in 28 overs as Chowdhury Mohammad Rizwan hit an unbeaten 44-ball 47 while Shamim Hossain played a cameo 16-ball 26 to help Rupganj to a six-wicket win.