Nigar’s team starts with a win over champions Mohammedan; Sandhiha takes six wickets

The Dhaka Premier Women's Cricket League kicked off on Wednesday, with six teams taking the field on the opening day. Nigar Sultana Joty's team, Sheltech Cricket Academy, made a dominant start by thrashing defending champions Mohammedan Sporting Club.

Abahani and Gulshan Youth Club Women's Cricket Team also secured victories. Gulshan Youth Club's spinner, Sandhiha Islam Asha, shone with the ball, while Sanjida Akter and Suraiya Azmin also delivered impressive performances. With the bat, Sumaiya Akter, Sharmin Akter Supta, and Ishma Tanzim found runs.

At Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mohammedan faced Sheltech. Batting first, Sheltech posted a formidable total and won by 53 runs. They scored 249 for 9, with Ishma contributing 68 off 80 balls, including six fours and one six. Sumaiya top-scored with 83 off 101 balls, hitting seven fours and two sixes. Lata Mondol added 30 off 42 balls, while Fahima Khatun remained unbeaten on 28 off 28 balls. Mohammedan's Sadjida Akter Meghla claimed four wickets, while Fariha Trishna took three.

Chasing the target, Mohammedan's innings ended at 196 in 48.1 overs. Except for Supta, none of the batters could steer the team to victory. The right-hander scored 73 off 103 balls, including three fours and two sixes. Murshida Khatun Happy added 30, Ayesha Rahman Shuktara 22, Sobhana Mostary 21, and captain Salma Khatun 20.

Sheltech's leg-spinner Fahima Khatun was the chief destroyer, taking 3 for 33 in 10 overs. Jannatul Ferdous Sumona and Jannatul Mawa claimed two wickets each.

At BKSP's No. 1 ground, Abahani defeated Bangladesh Police Cricket Club by four wickets. Police were bowled out for just 98 in 38.3 overs, with Rhea Akter Shekha picking up three wickets, while Rupa Roy and Fatema Jahan took two each. Despite the low target, Abahani faced some struggles before chasing it down in 25.3 overs, losing six wickets.

Farzana Hoque Pinky remained unbeaten on 55, while Swarna Akter scored 17. For Bangladesh Police, Priti Das took three wickets, and captain Deepa Khatun picked up two.

At the ULAB Cricket Ground, Gulshan Youth Club defeated Khelaghar by seven wickets. Khelaghar collapsed for just 64 in 28.4 overs, undone by Sandhiha Asha's devastating spell. The match's best performer, Sandhiha, took 6 wickets for just 9 runs in 5.4 overs.

Suraiya Azmin was equally impressive, bagging 3 wickets for just 4 runs in 5 overs. In response, Gulshan Youth Club chased down the target in just 17 overs. Khelaghar's Sultana Khatun managed to take two wickets.