Rain-Drenched DPL Opener Sees Dhaka Leopards Stun Defending Champions Abahani

Key facts

• Dhaka Leopards defeated Abahani by five wickets with five balls remaining at Bashundhara Sports City.
• Zakir Hasan scored 74 runs to guide Leopards to victory after Abahani posted 181 for eight in 30 overs.
• Overnight rain and bad light disrupted five of six matches, with most games starting after 11:30am local time.
• Gazi Group Cricketers bowled out Brothers Union for 82 and won by nine wickets with 129 balls remaining.
• Anamul Haque Bijoy's 80 helped Mohammedan beat City Club by five wickets at BKSP-3.
• Saif Hassan's 96 led Bashundhara Strikers to a 26-run win over Gulshan Cricket Club in the only full-overs match.
• Ad hoc committee president Tamim Iqbal acknowledged start delays, saying 'If we wanted to start perfectly, we wouldn’t be able to organise matches outside of the two venues.'

Upset at Bashundhara as Leopards Hunt Down Abahani

The opening day of the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) delivered a seismic shock as newly promoted Dhaka Leopards defeated defending champions Abahani by five wickets at Bashundhara Sports City Cricket Ground. Abahani managed 181 for eight in their allotted 30 overs, but Zakir Hasan’s composed 74 off an unstated number of balls anchored the chase, which Leopards completed with five balls to spare. It was a statement win for the promoted side, announced by the five-wicket margin and the fact that they beat the reigning champions in their own backyard. The result immediately reshapes expectations for the season, proving that the DPL’s lower-ranked teams can challenge the established order.

Rain and Poor Light Force Delayed Starts Across Five Venues

Overnight rain and bad light dominated the opening day, with five of the six scheduled matches suffering disrupted and delayed starts. Most games began after 11:30am local time, with unsafe run-ups, drizzle and poor light cited as the primary causes, particularly at Bashundhara Sports City. Ad hoc committee president Tamim Iqbal acknowledged the difficulties, stating on Monday: “If we wanted to start perfectly, we wouldn’t be able to organise matches outside of the two venues.” His comment underscores the logistical challenges facing the tournament, which relies on multiple grounds across the Dhaka region.

Dominant Performances from Gazi Group, Mohammedan and Prime Bank

Gazi Group Cricketers crushed Brothers Union by nine wickets after bowling them out for just 82 at ULAB, a victory sealed with a staggering 129 balls remaining. Mohammedan Sporting Club beat City Club by five wickets at BKSP-3, powered by Anamul Haque Bijoy’s 80 runs. Prime Bank Cricket Club defeated Agrani Bank by four wickets at BKSP-4, with Tanzid Tamim smashing a quick 44 off 32 balls. These results highlight the depth of batting talent in the league, with several players posting substantial scores under challenging conditions. The margins of victory — particularly Gazi Group’s — suggest a wide disparity in quality between some teams.

Legends of Rupganj Post Mammoth Total in Rain-Curtailed Contest

At Cricketers Academy, Legends of Rupganj amassed 283 for three in 34 overs, driven by Ashikur Rahman’s unbeaten 99 and Shak Mahedi’s blistering 49 off just 16 balls. They went on to beat Rupganj Tigers by 22 runs in a match that saw a full quota of overs despite the weather. Ashikur fell one run short of a century, but his innings, combined with Mahedi’s explosive hitting, set a platform that proved too steep for the Tigers. The 22-run margin, while comfortable, could have been wider had the Legends not lost early wickets.

Bashundhara Strikers Win Only Full-Overs Match of the Day

The only match to escape rain disruption was between Bashundhara Strikers and Gulshan Cricket Club at Purborgaon Krira Shikkha Prothisthan Ground in Atlapur. Bashundhara Strikers won by 26 runs, led by Saif Hassan’s 96, the highest individual score of the day. Gulshan Cricket Club were bowled out for a total that fell short of the Strikers’ target. Saif’s innings, just four runs shy of a century, provided a masterclass in pacing an innings under lights. The victory gives Bashundhara an early boost in the points table.

Tournament Faces Logistical Hurdles as Tamim Iqbal Urges Patience

The DPL’s ad hoc committee president Tamim Iqbal acknowledged that start delays and ground conditions are inevitable given the tournament’s reliance on multiple venues. “If we wanted to start perfectly, we wouldn’t be able to organise matches outside of the two venues,” he said on Monday, indicating that compromises are necessary to expand the league’s footprint. His remarks suggest that while the opening day’s disruptions were frustrating, they are part of a broader strategy to bring cricket to more grounds. The question now is whether the weather and infrastructure can keep pace with the ambition.

Opening Day Sets Stage for Competitive Season Ahead

The first day of the DPL 2026 season delivered drama, upsets and dominant performances, all set against the backdrop of rain and logistical challenges. The defending champions were humbled, newly promoted sides showed their mettle, and several batsmen announced their form with substantial scores. If the opening day is any guide, the season promises to be fiercely competitive, with no team safe from an upset. The league’s ability to manage weather disruptions will be tested further as the monsoon season approaches, but the quality of cricket on display suggests that the DPL remains a vital platform for Bangladeshi talent.

The bottom line

• Dhaka Leopards’ five-wicket win over Abahani is the biggest upset of the opening day, signaling that promoted teams can challenge champions.
• Rain and bad light delayed five of six matches, with most starting after 11:30am; Tamim Iqbal blamed the need to use multiple venues.
• Gazi Group’s nine-wicket win with 129 balls remaining was the most dominant performance, bowling Brothers Union out for 82.
• Ashikur Rahman (99*) and Shak Mahedi (49 off 16) powered Legends of Rupganj to 283/3 in 34 overs, the highest total of the day.
• Saif Hassan’s 96 led Bashundhara Strikers to the only full-overs victory, beating Gulshan by 26 runs.
• The DPL’s reliance on multiple grounds outside two main venues creates unavoidable start delays, per the ad hoc committee president.