Sports Reporter :
Dhaka Platoon earned a slim 12-run victory against Khulna Tigers in their Twenty20 cricket match of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BBPL) at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Dhaka Platoon led the points table securing 12 points from nine matches, while Khulna Tigers took the fourth position with 10 points from eight matches.
Sent into bat first, Dhaka Platoon piled up a fighting total of 172 for the loss of four wickets in the stipulated 20 overs and then they restricted Khulna Tigers to 160 for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs.
Dhaka Platoon made a good start as openers Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque put on together 45 runs in the opening stand before Anamul Haque (15) was trapped leg before wicket by Shafiul Islam.
After Anamul’s departure, Tamim Iqbal could stay at the crease for a short period as he was caught by Robbie Frylink off Mohammad Amir when Dhaka’s score was 52 for the loss of two wickets.
Then Mahedi Hasan (1) was caught & bowled by Aminul Islam when Dhaka’s total was 62 for the loss of three wickets.
Later, Mominul Haque and Ariful Haque built a notable partnership. The contributed together 56 runs in the fourth wicket stand before Mominul Haque was caught by Najibullah Zadran off Mohammad Amir when Dhaka’s total was 118 for the loss of four wickets.
Mominul Haque made 38 from 36 balls featuring three fours.
After Mominul’s dismissal, Ariful Haque and Asif Ali added together 54 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket partnership before Dhaka’s innings came to an end.
Asif Ali remained unbeaten with 39. He hit four sixes and two fours in his 13-ball windy innings.
Ariful Haque remained unbeaten with 37. His 30-ball knock was laced with three fours and a sixer.
Opener Tamim Iqbal scored 25 from 23 balls including three fours and a sixer.
Mohammad Amir bagged a pair of wickets at the cost of 27 runs, while Shafiul Islam and Aminul Islam got one wicket each conceding 44 and 45 runs respectively.
Later, Mushfiqur Rahim and Najibullah Zadran fought back against the controlled bowling attack of Dhaka Platoon bowlers.
Mushfiqur Rahim hit a captain’s knock of 64. His 33-ball innings was belted with four sixes and six fours.
Zadran made 31 from 29 balls with three fours and two sixes.
Hasan Mahmud of Dhaka Platoon grabbed four wickets instead of 32 runs.
Shadab Khan, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Thisara Perera picked up one wicket each for 25, 26 and 36 runs respectively.
Hasan Mahmud was adjudged the Man of the Match for his match-winning bowling performance.
