Minister Group Rajshahi beat Beximco Dhaka by 2 runs in the opening match of the Bangabandhu T20 Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.

Beximco Dhaka captain Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and sent Minister Group Rajshahi batting in the first.

Mahedi Hasan struck a brilliant half-century as Minister Group Rajshahi racked up 169-9 against Beximco Dhaka. Chasing the target Dhaka finished at 167/5.

Chasing the target Dhaka lost opener Tanzid Hasan (18) on 19. The other opener Yasir Ali also dismissed for 9 and Dhaka lost their both opener for 38. Mohammad Naim and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim tried to rebuild the innings from there but Naim dismissed for 26 off 17. 

Mushfiqur Rahim and Under 19s skipper Akbar Ali added 71 runs in the 4th wicket stand. But Akbar Ali dismissed by Farhad Reza scoring 34 off 29 when Dhaka was 126. Mushfiqur Rahim also went out scoring 41 off 34 balls. Muktar Ali's 27 off 16 raised hope for Dhaka but Muktar and Sabbir could not score 9 runs in the last 6 balls and they lost the match by 2 runs.

Earlier, Mahedi Hasan struck a brilliant half-century as Minister Group Rajshahi racked up 169-9 against Beximco Dhaka in their first match of the Bangabandhu T20 Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Batting at No. 7 positions, Mahedi blasted 50 off 32, hitting three fours and four sixes and rescued Rajshahi from a potential danger after their middle failed to capitalize on a decent start provided by the openers.

Being sent to bat first, captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto and young Anisul Islam Emon shared a 31 runs in the fourth over, which was not so bad start considering the format of the cricket.

Shanto clattered two sixes in his 17 off 16 before being dismissed while Emon, who was indicted to score a big knock was stumped after scoring 23 ball-35 with five fours and one six.

Rajshahi’s middle order consisted of the national discard but experienced trio of Rony Talukdar, Mohammad Ashraful and Fazle Rabbi but all of them failed to reach double digit figures, leaving Rajshahi at tricky 65-5.

Pace bowler Muktar Ali indeed wreaked havoc in Rajshahi’s middle order, bowling with aggression.

When it looked like Rajshahi could be wrapped up below 100, Mahedi Hasan and Nurul Hasan Sohan counterattacked in style, sharing 89-run for the sixth wicket stand.

Sohan hammered 39 off 20 with two fours and three sixes before an improvised shot saw him dismissed by Muktar Ali just after reaching his half-century.

Mahedi kept hitting all the things coming at him before a slower from Mehedi Hasan Rana caused his dismissal. The lower order however couldn’t contribute much after his dismissal.

Muktar Ali claimed 3-22 while Mehedi Hasan Rana, Nasum Ahmed and Nayeem Hasan picked up one wicket apiece.