The 2025-26 season of the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) began on Monday with major disruptions, as five of six matches were reduced overs due to poor lighting and wet outfields.
Although matches were scheduled to start at 9:00 am, most only got underway after 11:00 am, preventing full 50-over contests.
Reigning champions Abahani Limited suffered a shock five-wicket defeat to newcomers Dhaka Leopards at Bashundhara Sports City, while Mohammedan Sporting Club and Prime Bank Cricket Club opened their campaigns with wins.
Mohammedan vs City Club
Mohammedan had to dig deep to beat City Club by five wickets in a rain-shortened 37-over contest at BKSP Ground No. 3. Chasing 195, they needed 61 runs from the final 48 balls before Towhid Hridoy and Yasir Ali steadied the innings.
Hridoy made 34 off 35 balls, while Yasir remained unbeaten on 36 off 23 to guide the team home. Earlier, opener Enamul Haque laid the foundation with 80 off 88 balls. City Club had posted 194-9, thanks to Sadiqur Rahman's 56, while off-spinner Naeem Ahmed claimed four wickets.
Prime Bank vs Agrani Bank
Prime Bank Cricket Club prevailed in Bank's derby as they defeated Agrani Bank by four wickets in a 30-over match at BKSP-4 ground. Agrani were bowled out for 153, with captain Imrul Kayes top-scoring with 32.
Alis Al Islam starred with the ball, taking four wickets. Prime Bank, however, lost six wickets in the chase before Shamim Hossain's unbeaten 24 secured victory with seven balls to spare. Tanjid Hasan contributed 44 at the top.
Legends of Rupganj vs Rupganj Tigers
At the Cricketers Academy in Purbachal, Ashikur Rahman produced one of the standout performances of the day, remaining unbeaten on 99 as Legends of Rupganj beat Rupganj Tigers by 22 runs in a 34-over match.
Ashikur struck 11 fours and three sixes in his 84-ball innings but fell agonizingly short of a century after managing only a single off the final ball. Mehedi Hasan's explosive 49 off 16 balls and Irfan Shukkur's 60 powered Rupganj to 283 for 3.
Rupganj Tigers responded strongly through Kalam Siddiqui (78 off 46) and Muktar (52 off 27) but were restricted to 261- 7.
Bashundhara vs Gulshan Cricket
The only full 50-over game of the day took place at PKSP-2 ground, where Bashundhara Strikers defeated Gulshan Cricket Club by 26 runs.
Saif Hasan narrowly missed a century, scoring 96 off 126 balls in a 133-run stand with Fazle Mahmud. A controversial moment arose earlier when Gulshan's Tanvir was given out despite replays suggesting a boundary infringement on the catch, drawing protests from Nurul Hasan Sohan. Chasing 281, Gulshan faltered despite Jobair Hossain's 73, with Ruel Mia and Nahidul Islam taking three wickets each.
Gazi Group vs Brothers
In the day's lowest-scoring match, Brothers Union were bowled out for just 82 in 29.4 overs in a 36-over fixture at ULAB ground and conceded a nine-wicket defeat to Gazi Group Mohammad Rubel and Leon Islam claimed three wickets apiece, while three Brothers batters were run out. Gazi Group chased down the target comfortably in 14.3 overs, thanks to Nayeem Ahmed's 48. "BSS
