Dhaka Dynamites reached the final of the AKS Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Twenty20 Cricket beating Comilla Victorians by 95 runs in the Qualifier-1 at the flood-lit Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Friday.
Electing to bat first, Dhaka Dynamites piled up a mammoth total of 191 for the loss of seven wickets in the stipulated 20 overs and
then all out Comilla Victorians for 96 runs off 18 overs. Dhaka Dynamites had an unhappy start as opener Mehedi Maruf (6) was dismissed when Dhaka’s score was just 11.
Then Ewin Lewis and Joe Denly salvaged their team from early debacle as they put on together 69 runs for the second wicket partnership before Lewis was cleanly bowled out by Shoaib Malik when Dhaka’s total was 80 for the loss of two wickets.
Lewis hit a marvellous 47. His 32-ball innings was studded with three sixes and six fours.
After Ewin’s departure, Joe Denly and Kieron Pollard contributed 43 runs in the third wicket stand before Denly was run out by Marlon Samuels when Dhaka’s score was 123 for the loss of three wickets. Denly made a worthy 32. His 25-ball knock was belted with two fours and a sixer.
Pollard hit a quick-fire 31 from 18 balls including three sixes and a four. Pollard was caught behind by wicketkeeper Liton Das off Dwayne Bravo.
Later, Shahid Afridi and Mosaddek Hossain built another notable partnership. They added together 35 runs for the sixth wicket partnership before Mosaddek (3) was caught at the deep midwicket by Jos Buttler off Hasan Ali when Dhaka’s total was 179 for the loss of six wickets.
Shahid Afridi hit a windy 30 from 19 balls including four sixes.
Hasan Ali grabbed three wickets at the cost of 16 runs, while Dwayne Bravo got two wickets conceding 45 runs.
Besides, Shoaib Malik took one wicket for 28 runs.
Later, the bowlers of Dhaka Dynamites dominated over the most of the batsmen of Comilla Victorians.
Opener Tamim Iqbal, Hasan Ali and Mehedi Hasan fought back.
Tamim hit a fine 31 from 38 balls with three fours and a six.
Hasan Ali and Mehedi Hasan added 18 and 15 (not out) to the Comilla’s total. Shahid Afridi of Dhaka Dynamites captured three wickets instead of 16 runs, while Shakib Al Hasan and Mosaddek Hossain bagged a pair of wickets each for 19 and 24 runs respectively.
Besides, Sunil Narine and Abu Hider took one wicket each for nine and 14 runs respectively.
Shahid Afridi was adjudged the Man of the Match for his all-round performance.
Comilla Victorians will face Rangpur Riders in the Qualifier-2 tomorrow at the same venue. The match starts at 6.00 pm. The winning team of that match will get the ticket of the final.
