Veteran all-rounder Nasir Hossain turned back the clock with a dazzling, career-best innings of 90 not out, single-handedly guiding the Dhaka Capitals to a commanding 7-wicket victory over the Noakhali Express in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on Wednesday.

It was Dhaka’s second win in five matches. They are currently placed at the second last team in the points table. 

Chasing a modest target of 134, Dhaka initially found themselves in precarious waters at 14 for 2 after three overs. However, Nasir arrived at the crease and instantly dismantled the pressure.

He began by hitting three boundaries off Mohammad Nabi in the fourth over, followed by a brutal attack on Pakistani spinner Maaz Sadaqat, smashing four boundaries—including a six—in the fifth over.

Nasir raced to his half-century in just 21 balls, which is now the fastest fifty of the ongoing BPL season.

In a T20 career spanning 16 years and 157 matches, this was the first time Nasir crossed the 90-run mark. His previous best was 80 runs, scored for the Rangpur Riders against the Dhaka Gladiators way back in the 2013 BPL. This was his 10th half-century in the format.

Nasir remained unbeaten on 90 off 50 balls, with 14 fours and two sixes. Supported by Imad Wasim’s brisk 29 off 16 balls, Dhaka chased down the target in just 14.1 overs, winning with 35 balls to spare.

Earlier, the Noakhali Express struggled significantly after being put in to bat. Their top order collapsed, leaving them reeling at 40 for 5 inside 9.3 overs.

It took a gritty 91-run partnership (off 61 balls) between foreign recruits Haider Ali and Mohammad Nabi to drag the team to a respectable total of 133 for six. 

Haider Ali scored 47 off 36 balls, while Nabi remained unbeaten on 42 off 33 balls.

For Dhaka, Nasir also contributed with the ball, taking 1 wicket for 24 runs in 3 overs. Hasan Mahmud was the lone warrior for Noakhali with the ball, claiming 2 wickets for 17 runs early in the innings before the Nasir show took over.