Pacers restrict Mahmudullah XI to 196

The pace bowling trio of Taskin Ahmed, Al-Amin Hossain and Mukidul Islam Mugdho bowled exceedingly well to restrict Mahmudullah XI to 196 in the opening match of the President's Cup between Najmul XI and Mahmudullah XI on Sunday.

Najmul Hossain Shanto, the skipper of the Najmul XI, won the toss and put the Mahmudullah XI to bat as competitive cricket returned to the country after 208 days. 

The start was not as good as the Mahmudullah-led side would have liked. Opener Naim Sheikh went back to the pavilion after being run-out. His partner Liton Das couldn't carry on as well, as Taskin Ahmed got rid of him. 

Taskin's bowling partner Al-Amin Hossain cleaned up Mominul Haque, who came in at three, for a duck. Then skipper Mahmudullah and Imrul Kayes put on 73 off 88 for the fourth wicket. 

Imrul did the bulk of the scoring in the partnership as he scored a well-made 40 off 50 balls before Nayeem Hasan sent him back. 

Nurul Hasan and Sabbir Rahman stitched a couple of useful partnerships with Mahmudullah but the bowlers of Najmul XI bowled their hearts out.

Mahmudullah was dismissed by fast bowler Mukidul Islam Mugdho after the former reached fifty. The right-handed batsman scored 51 off 82 balls. His innings was studded with three fours and a six.

Handy knocks from Abu Hider and Rakibul Hasan down the order pushed the Mahmudullah XI to 196. They were all-out with 15 balls left. 

Taskin, Al-Amin and Mugdho picked up two wickets apiece. Nayeem Hasan and Soumya Sarkar shared two among themselves.