Naim hits DPL’s first ton

Abahani Limited opener Mohammad Naim hit the first ton of this Dhaka Premier League (DPL) season during the opening day's fixture against Rupganj Tigers at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. 

The Premier League began today, returning to its 50-over format after it was played in the T20 format last year.

Abahani were in early trouble, slumping to four for 48 inside 13 overs as the likes of Munim Shahriar, Jaker Ali, Towhid Hridoy and overseas star Najibullah Zadran fell cheaply. A vital 77-run fifth-wicket stand between Naim and skipper Mosaddek Hossain (37 off 58) saw Abahani fight back.

Naim had been struggling for runs since the end of the T20 World Cup in the UAE. His performances in the BPL and the recently-concluded series against Afghanistan saw the opener lacking in confidence in T20 format.

Thus, the one-day format might have come as a relief to the opener as he held the innings together from one end. Having reached his fifty in 75 deliveries, the opener accelerated since the 35th over with three fours off pacer Shafiqul Islam before piling more misery on the pacer in his next over with a four and six. He struck 10 fours and two sixes during a 132-ball 115 before being holed out at long-on in the 46th over to a Farhad Reza delivery as Ariful Haque took a fantastic catch.

Mohammad Saifuddin, who returned following injury, remained unbeaten on 40 off 43 deliveries as Abahani posted 255 for 9. 

Today's ton was Naim's fourth in the DPL. He struck three in the 2018 season of the tournament, scoring 807 runs in 16 matches at an average of 53.80 for the Legends of Rupganj.