Rangpur Riders bowlers put up an extra-ordinary effort to overshadow Sakib al Hasan’s maiden five-wicket haul in the Bangladesh Premier League, leading their side to a thrilling three-run win over star-studded Dhaka Dynamites on Tuesday.
In a low-scoring classic, Dhaka required 10 runs in the final over to clinch the win and move to the top of the table after Sakib’s 5-16 helped them bundle out Rangpur for 142 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Dhaka’s Caribbean all-rounder Kieron Pollard (12) smashed Thisara Perera for a six in third ball to take them close. He opted against taking a single in the next ball to retain the strike but the ploy did not work as Perera bowled him in the fifth delivery to leave the side needing a boundary in the final ball.
It was too much of an asking for next man Abu Hider who tried to play a paddle sweep off a full toss but missed the line and was bowled earning Dhaka their second successive losses.
Rangpur had the reason to celebrate back-to-back breathtaking wins as Dhaka were bowled out for 139 runs. Mashrafee bin Murtaza-led side defeated Sylhet Sixers by seven run in a similar manner in their previous match on Monday.
Mashrafee Shohag Gazi, Lasith Malinga and Perera each claimed two wickets for Rangpur as their bowlers strike whenever a Dhaka batsman tried to settle into the crease.
Jahirul Islam and Evin Lewis struck 29 and 28 runs respectively while Shahid Afridi, who replaced Kumar Sangakkara in the starting line-up, made 21 runs before being bowled by Rubel Hossain.
Afridi bowled Brendon McCullum for six as Dhaka opted to bowl first but Rangpur rode on Chris Gayle’s 51 off 28 balls to get a competitive score.
Hider dropped Gayle off Sunil Narine allowing the West Indies batsman to hit his second successive fifty with five fours and four sixes before he was removed by Mosaddek Hossain.
Ironically, Hider took the catch at long on to give Dhaka a leeway for coming back into the game.
Sakib produced one of his finest spell to take three wickets in the space of four balls in final over to complete his maiden five-wicket haul in the tournament.
Source: New Age.
