ZCZC
BSP-22
CRICKET-BPL-CHITTAGONG
Chittagong Vikings ensure playoff spot in BPL
CHATTOGRAM, Jan 30, 2019 (BSS)- Chittagong Vikings ensured their playoff
spot when they earned a 11-run victory over Dhaka Dynamites in the 37th match
of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 on Wednesday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury
Stadium.
Chasing a winning target of 175 runs set by Chittagong, Dhaka found the
chase stiff and eventually restricted them at 163 for 9 in 20 overs.
Chittagong were the third team to ensure their playoff ticket after Rangpur
Riders and Comilla Victorians.
Dhaka Dynamites started the chase badly as they lost three batsmen — Sunil
Narine, Rony Talukder and Mizanur Rahman — at 23 runs in the score board.
Skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Nurul Hasan however took the responsibility to
stop the rot as the duo shared an important 50 runs for the fourth wicket
stand to take the team to a comfortable position.
Dhaka’s bowlers again struck on Rajshahi’s innings as Delport broke the
partnership removing Nurul Hasan who scored 23-ball off 33 runs with the help
of two boundaries and equal number of over boundaries before being trapped
leg before wicket.
Shakib kept the scoreboard ticking as he again paired for another 66 runs
for the sixth wicket stand with Andre Russell but Shanaka broke the
partnership in the crucial moment removing Russell who scored 23-ball off 39
runs hitting four boundaries and two over boundaries.
Shakib offered resistance scoring a responsible 42-ball off 53 runs but he
hardly got support from the other end as the Chittagong’s bowlers continued
their inroads picking up wickets in regular intervals. Shakib smashed six
boundaries before he fell victim to Dasun Shanaka.
Abu Jayed was the pick of Chittagong’s bowlers taking three Dhaka’s wickets
conceding 25 runs while Shanaka claimed two wickets for 24 runs.
Cameron Delport of Chittagong was named the player of the match for his
impressive batting performance.
Earlier, opener Cameron Delport’s blistering half century helped Chittagong
Vikings to post a challenging total of 174 for 5 from their stipulated 20
overs after they decided to bat first.
The South African recruit left handed batsman Delport blasted 57-ball off
71 runs with the help of five boundaries and four over boundaries and during
the process he shared 79-runs stand with Mushfiqur Rahim who chipped away 24-
ball off 43-runs hitting four boundaries and two over boundaries. Mohammad
Shahzad (21) and Yasir Ali (19) were the other notable scorers for
Chittagong.
Andre Russell was the most successful bowler as he claimed three
Chittagong’s wickets giving away 38 runs. He was well supported by Sunil
Narine who bagged two wickets for 20 runs.
The day’s win not only guarantees them a spot in the playoffs, but also
placed them in third position in the table with 14 points from 11 matches.
On the other hand Dhaka Dynamites remained at their previous credit of 10
points from ten outings.
After the match, winning Chittagong Vikings skipper Mushfiqur Rahim said:
“I thought it was an important game for us and the boys turned out today. I
think the bowlers showed their character in this game, really proud them. I
just told them we are 10 runs short but the effort from our bowlers was
excellent. It’s important to get wickets in the power play, hopefully we keep
doing that.”
Dhaka Dynamites skipper Shakib Al Hasan said: “We are very disappointed for
their performance though the bowlers did well and we could chase it down.
They had shortage of bowlers, even then they managed to restrict us. It was a
very good batting track, so disappointed. It’s a part of the game. We kept
losing wickets, hence we couldn’t finish.”
BSS/SG/ARS/1825 hrs