The fixture between Dhaka Capitals and Rajshahi Warriors at the Sylhet International Stadium was transformed into a somber affair following the sudden and tragic death of Dhaka’s assistant coach, Mahbub Ali Zaki. Shortly before the match was scheduled to commence, Zaki fell ill and was rushed to hospital, where he was tragically pronounced dead. Playing under a cloud of grief, the Dhaka squad managed to honour his memory on the pitch, securing a five-wicket victory with seven balls to spare.
Dominance with the Ball: Imad Wasim’s Masterclass
Dhaka’s triumph was rooted in a clinical bowling performance after winning the toss and electing to field. The tone was set by Pakistani left-arm spinner Imad Wasim, who struck with the very first ball of the innings to dismiss opener Sahibzada Farhan. Imad remained relentless throughout his four-over spell, dismantling the Rajshahi middle order by removing the set Najmul Hossain Shanto and Yasir Ali.
Despite a resilient 37 from Najmul and a late unbeaten 26 from Mohammad Nawaz, Rajshahi were restricted to a sub-par total of 132. Dhaka’s disciplined lines ensured the required run rate remained manageable from the outset.
Match Performance Summary
| Category | Rajshahi Warriors | Dhaka Capitals |
| Total Score | 132/8 (20 Overs) | 134/5 (18.5 Overs) |
| Top Performer (Bat) | Najmul Shanto (37) | Abdullah Al Mamun (45) |
| Top Performer (Ball) | Mohammad Nawaz (3/21) | Imad Wasim (3/16) |
| Strike Rate Star | Mohammad Nawaz (104.00) | Sabbir Rahman (210.00) |
| Match Outcome | Defeat | Victory by 5 Wickets |
The Chase: Sabbir’s Late-Innings Fireworks
Dhaka’s pursuit of 133 began poorly with the early loss of Saif Hassan, but Abdullah Al Mamun anchored the innings with a composed 45. The match entered a tense phase when Nasir Hossain’s slow-paced 19 left Dhaka requiring 35 runs from the final 25 balls.
The pressure was emphatically relieved in the 17th over, delivered by Nepalese leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane. Sabbir Rahman and Shamim Hossain combined to plunder 15 runs from the over, effectively ending the contest. Sabbir’s blistering cameo of 21 runs from just 10 deliveries* ensured there were no further stumbles. While Imad Wasim was awarded the Player of the Match for his exceptional figures of 3 for 16, the thoughts of the players remained firmly with their late coach as they left the field in Sylhet.