Al Islam produced a fierce bowling spells saw Dhaka Dynamites to record a nail-biting two runs victory over defending champions Rangpur Riders in the 9th match of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 held on Friday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur.
With this victory, Dhaka Dynamites maintained their top position in the points table with six points from three matches while Rangpur Riders remained at their previous credit of four points playing four outings.
Thanks to Al Islam for his four-wicket haul that helped Dhaka to restrict Rangpur at 181 for 9 in 20 over after Dhaka Dynamites scored a challenging total of 183 for 9.
Rangpur lost both their openers – Chris Gayle and Mehedi Maruf – early in their chase but Rossow and Mohammad Mithun rebuild Rangpur innings with 121-run for the third wicket stand.
Rilee Rossouw smashed 44-ball off 83 runs hitting eight boundaries and four over boundaries and almost snatched the momentum from Dhaka along with Mohammad Mithun who blazed 35-ball off 49-run with the help of one boundary and two over boundary.
However Dhaka Dynamites fought back in the match after sending back the two set batsmen. Rangpur suffered wobble in the middle as they lost four wickets in a quick succession and despite came closer to the victory the remaining Rangpur batsmen failed to overcome the target.
Apart from Al Islam’s four -wicket for 26 runs, Sunil Narine claimed two wickets giving away 40 runs.
Al Islam of Dhaka was named the player of the match.
Earlier, Kieron Pollard scored a blistering half century saw Dhaka Dynamites scored a challenging total of 183 for 9 from their allotted 20 overs after they were forced to bat first by Rangpur Riders.
Dhaka Dynamites plunged into a deep trouble as they lost four wickets at 64 runs n the score board in 8.2 overs.
Sohag Gazi therened early inroad on Dhaka innings as he dismissed opener Hazratullah Zazai in the first ball of the second over. Another opener Sunil Narail, Rony Talukder and Mizanur Rahman also lasted a little leaving Dhaka in a deep trouble.
In this situation Dhaka desperately needed a solid partnership to rebuild the innings in this crucial stage. Skipper Shakib Al Hasan and West Indies hard-hitting batsman Kiren Pollard revived Dhaka’s innings with a 78-run for the fifth wicket stand to take the team to a comfortable position.
The right handed batsman Kiren Pollard blasted 26-ball off 62-run laced with five boundaries and four over boundaries before he fell to Benny Howell while Shakib Al Hasan chipped away 36-run off 37 ball hitting four boundaries before he perished to Farhad Reza.
Later cameo Andre Russell blazed 13-ball off 23-run helped Dhaka to set a challenging total for Rangpur Riders.
Pacer Shafiul Islam was the pick of Rangpur bowler as he grabbed three wickets for 35 runs. He was well supported by Benny Howell and Sohag Gazi who both shared two four wickets conceding 25 and 28 runs respectively.
Saturday’s matches: Chittagong Vikings vs Khulna Titans (1.30 pm) and Dhaka Dynamites vs Sylhet Sixers (6.30 pm).
