SPORTS REPORTER

Overnight rain and bad light dominated the opening day of the Dhaka Premier League (DPL), with five of six matches disrupted and delayed starts across mulitple venues yesterday.

The biggest upset came as newly-promoted Dhaka Leopards beat defending champions Abahani by five wickets. Abahani made 181 for 8 in 30 overs, but Zakir Hasan’s 74 guided Leopards to a statement win at Bashundhara Sports City.

Prime Bank defeated Agrani Bank by four wickets at BKSP-4, with Tanzid Tamim striking a quick 44 off 32 balls. At Cricketers Academy, Legends of Rupganj posted 283 for 3 in 34 overs, powered by Ashikur Rahman’s unbeaten 99 and Shak Mahedi’s 49 off 16 balls, leading to a 22-run win over Rupganj Tigers.

Gazi Group crushed Brothers Union by nine wickets after bowling them out for 82 at ULAB. Meanwhile, Mohammedan beat City Club by five wickets at BKSP-3, thanks to Anamul Haque’s 80. In the only full-overs match, Bashundhara Strikers defeated Gulshan Cricket Club by 26 runs, led by Saif Hassan’s 96.

Most games started after 11:30am due to unsafe run-ups, drizzle and poor light, especially at Bashundhara Sports City.

Ad hoc committee president Tamim Iqbal acknowledged that such issues would have to be accepted for now. “If we wanted to start perfectly, we wouldn’t be able to organise matches outside of the two venues,” Tamim said on Monday.