BPL kicks off amid enthusiasm and protest over ticketing issue

 
The 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) kicked off on Monday with fans complaining of not getting tickets to watch the opening day's game. However, fans were seen in long queues to enter the stadium and watch their favourite teams playing

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) earlier informed that tickets will be found only on online and seven designated branches of Mohdumoti Bank PLC. They also informed that no tickets will be sold at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium's ticketing booth, but some fans without tickets still gathered at the stadium and tried to create anarchy.  They didn't allow Rajshahi team bus to enter into the stadium and even the personal car of the Khulna Tigers captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz was blocked.  The authority later dispersed them to bring the situation under control.

However, defending champions Fortune Barishal launched their BPL campaign with a four wicket win over Durbar Rajshahi in a high-scoring thriller.
Chasing a mammoth 198 for win, Veteran Mahmudullah and Pakistani all-rounder Faheem Ashraf hammered Rajshahi bowlers with a math-winning 88-run stand as Barishal after losing six wickets in 112 runs during run chase, produced an amazing fightback to clinch a thrilling win over Rajshahi.

Faheem Ashraf clobbered seven sixes and a four in a 21-ball 54 while Mahmudullah made 26-ball 56 with four sixes and five fours.

Earlier, elected to bat first, Yasir Ali and Anamul Haque of Durbar Rajshahi shone with fifties in the opening fixture of the new season of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) in Mirpur.  Riding on Yasir's unbeaten 94 off 47 balls, and 65 off 51 balls by Anamul, Rajshahi posted a big total of 197 for three against the defending champions Fortune Barishal.

Rajshahi, who were put to bat first after losing the toss, lost their first wicket in the second over of the innings as Jishan Alam was sent back by Kyle Mayers for a duck.

 With 25 runs on the board, Rajshahi lost their second wicket.

When Barishal was trying to get control of the match, Anamul and Yasir formed a 140-run stand in the third-wicket partnership.
Before falling in the 18th over, Anamul posted 65 off 51 balls with four fours and five sixes.

However, Yasir was firm on the other end of the wicket. He remained unbeaten at 94, smashing seven fours and eight sixes.
Mayers took two wickets for Rajshahi, who made a comeback to BPL after missing out on the event for years.
Line Ups:

Durbar Rajshahi: Anamul Haque Bijoy (c), Mohammad Haris, Jishan Alam, Akbar Ali, Yasir Ali, SM Meherob Hasan, Ryan Burl, Lahiru Samarakoon, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Hasan Murad, and Taskin Ahmed.

Fortune Barishal: Tamim Iqbal (c), Towhid Hridoy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Kyle Mayers, Mohammad Nabi, Faheem Ashraf, Tanvir Islam, Ripon Mondol, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.