Dhaka Premier League: Yusuf Pathan arrives late due to traffic, plays match-winning knock

Dhaka, June 2: After the Indian Premier League 2016 (IPL 9), Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) batsman Yusuf Pathan made his debut in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) One-Day tournament with a match-winning knock despite arriving late for the contest after being stuck in traffic.

According to "Dhaka Tribune", Pathan hit a "blistering 60" (47 balls, 7x4, 2x6) to power Abahani Limited to a 5-wicket victory over Prime Bank Cricket Club at Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP-3) ground on Wednesday (June 1). Thanks to Pathan's big knock, the team chased down 241 in 44.3 overs.

The Indian right-hander's debut almost did not happen due to Bangladesh's traffic woes. Pathan arrived 41 minutes late after the match had commenced. However, he was allowed to play, the media report said. He was stuck on Dhaka-Savar highway.

"I was looking forward to play these two matches before Ramadan. The team has won (yesterday) and this will work as an advantage as they move forward in the competition. I am happy that I have performed and added around 60 runs to the board," Pathan was quoted as saying in the report.

"The wicket is different. Back home we have something else, there the fast bowlers take charge at the beginning but here the spinners start with the new ball. It felt that teams here play according to the merit of the wicket. The experience has been new for me," he added.

This was Abhani's 3rd straight win in the league. The team is captained by Tamim Iqbal. Shakib Al Hasan also plays for Abahani.

Scores in brief

Prime Bank Cricket Club 240/9 in 50 overs (Nurul Hasan 46, Taibur Rahman 43, Shuvagata Hom 29, Shakib Al Hasan 4/35, Saqlain Sajib 3/37) lost to Abahani Limited 243/5 in 44.3 overs (Mosaddek Hossain 64 not out, Yusuf Pathan 60, Tamim Iqbal 40, Nazmul Hossain Shanto 32, Liton Das 25 not out, Shuvagata Hom 3/38, Nazmul Islam 2/51)

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