Reigning champions Fortune Barishal began their title defence in a spectacular fashion, beating newcomers Durbar Rajshahi by four wickets as the 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League T20 got off to a high-scoring start at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur today.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Faruque Ahmed asked for patience in regards to chaos of attaining BPL tickets. The BCB president inaugurated the 11th edition of the franchise tournament today at Mirpur before the opening match between Fortune Barishal and Durbar Rajshahi.

New Zealand made 186-5 in their 20 overs, with player-of-the-match Hay cracking an unbeaten 41 from 19 deliveries.

Rohit also highlighted the need for team-mate Rishabh Pant to bat more sensibly after throwing his wicket away twice in the defeat, which leaves the tourists trailing 2-1 in the series.

Cummins was named player of the match for his all-round deeds, including taking three key wickets on the final day as the tourists were skittled for 155.

A few hours before the start of the opening match between reigning champions Fortune Barishal and Durbar Rajshahi, fans gathered in large numbers in front of the main gate of the Mirpur stadium. They even broke the main gate in protest of the BCB’s ticketing system.

Jaiswal’s dismissal proved decisive as India collapsed, losing their final four wickets for just 15 runs to be bowled out for 155.

Australia captain Pat Cummins and fellow pacer Scott Boland finished with three wickets apiece, with spinner Nathan Lyon chipping in two on a dramatic final day which was tinged with controversy over the use of the Decision Review System (DRS).

“I was still sulking in the toilet. There were not a lot of conversations. We still had the confidence. I did not come out to the viewing area and was in the toilet. I came when 15 runs were needed,” Bavuma laughed.

In previous years, star cricketers like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Jason Holder, and Imran Tahir, who are generally seen ruling the franchise tournaments across the world, featured for different BPL franchises but this year, none of these players will be playing in the country’s sole franchise-based T20 tournament.

Early on day five of the fourth Test, a bumper crowd of 51,371 had swelled the total number of spectators since the start of the match on Boxing Day to 350,700, with still more expected through the gates.

In opening day’s fixtures, reigning champions Fortune Barishal will take on newcomers Durbar Rajshahi at 01:30pm while Rangpur Riders will face Dhaka Capitals in the second match at 06:30pm.

With the 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League set to begin tomorrow, players of all seven franchises are gearing up for action. Here are what members of different franchises said after the practice sessions of their respective teams today. The tournament will commence tomorrow with the game between Fortune Barishal and Durbar Rajshahi at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi was unbeaten on 179 as Afghanistan trailed Zimbabwe by 71 runs after a rain-shortened fourth day of the first Test in Bulawayo on Sunday.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.gobcbticket.com.bd

Bangladesh’s star opener Tamim Iqbal said that other than an increase in the number of concerts, the southpaw has not seen anything different happening in the build of the 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), set to begin tomorrow with the game between Tamim-led Fortune Barishal and Durbar Rajshahi. 

The Test had a finish more like that of a Twenty20 match as the tailenders delivered success after South Africa had slumped dramatically before lunch and seen Pakistan on the verge of success.

Jaker was still jet-lagged, after returning to country from the West Indies, while he spoke to The Daily Star's Abdullah Al Mehdi during an exclusive interview.

Dhaka Capitals on Sunday announced that experienced Sri Lankan all-rounder Thisara Perera will lead the side in the Bangladesh Premier League T20, scheduled to start on December 30.

A Marnus Labuschagne half-century and stubborn tail-end batting drove Australia to a 333-run lead at the end of day four in the fourth Test in Melbourne on Sunday, leaving India facing a record chase to steal an unlikely victory.