Both the matches of the opening day of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) fourth edition were washed out due to nonstop showers yesterday. Neither of the matches-Comilla Victorians vs Rajshahi King and Khulna Titans vs Rangpur Riders rolled onto the ground and abandoned without a ball being bowled.
As a result, all the four teams shared the spoils one point each. It is the first instance in BPL folklore while a match washed out with a bowl being bowled. Met office said that such types of weather condition, caused by a depression in the Bay of Bengal, will go on till the next two days.
Rajshahi Kings captain Darren Sammy after winning the toss opted to field to see the overcast weather condition and apprehension of the downpours. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon introduced with the both teams players one by one in the aftermath of the toss.
Then BCB president inaugurated the seven-team tournament releasing balloon. Thereafter, some fireworks marked the opening of the BPL fourth edition. This time the president was accompanied by Abul Khair Group Marketing and Brand Director Nawshad Karim Chowdhury Nawshad Karim Chowdhury, BPL member secretary IH Mallick, CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury, Comilla Victorians captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Rajshahi Kings captain Darren Sammy. The rains started falling while both team players were taking their preparation to get down in the field. Therefore, the drizzling didn’t halt. There were times to play as the cut off time for a 5-over game was 5:16pm. Umpires called off the match 26 minutes before the schedule end as the match has been abandoned as rain continues to fall at 4:50pm. The second match was called off at 9:25pm. Local vocalist Ayub Bachchu lent his dulcet voice to enthrall the spectators during the break period of the matches.