ZCZC
BSP-19
CRICKET-DHAKA-RAJSHAHI-ZAZAI
Rajshahi stuns favourite Dhaka for winning start in BBPL
DHAKA, Dec 12, 2019 (BSS) – Opener Hazratullah Zazai smashed a 47 ball-
56 not as Rajshahi Royals produced an upset by recording a comprehensive
nine-wicket win over pre-tournament favourite Dhaka Platoon in Bangabandhu
Bangladesh Premier League (BBPL) at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
here today.
Dhaka, comprised with two A+ category players and several reputed big
hitters of the world, was able to put on just 134-9 after being sent to bat
first. Rajshahi made it cakewalk by reaching the winning target 136-1 in 18.2
overs overs, with Zazai hitting a powerful cover-drive for a boundary to
ensure victory.
Zazai, an Afghanistan batsman hit five fours and three sixes in his
knock. His fellow opener Liton Das blasted 39 off 27 with four fours and two
sixes and combined for a 62-run in just 8.2 overs with Zazai.
The opening partnership indeed kept Rajshahi in good stead even though
Dhaka sensed an opportunity after Mahedi Hasan dismissed Liton.
Any kind of hope of Dhaka, however, was shattered by Shoaib Mailk as the
Pakistan recruit further shared a 74-run with Zazai in an undefeated second
wicket stand.
Malik scored run-a-ball-36 with three fours and one six.
Returning to competitive cricket since his disappointing World Cup
mission, Dhaka captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza ended another bad day in office
as he failed to grab any wicket and conceded 18 runs in three overs.
Mashrafe batted well than established batsmen comparatively. His 10
ball-18 runs not out with two sixes indeed took Dhaka Platoon past 120 when
it looked they would end up making less runs that they made eventually.
Rajshahi bowlers stifled Dhaka platoon for runs in a slow wicket once
they put them in batting. The Dhaka batsman also contributed in digging their
own graveyards by batting mindlessly.
Abu Jayed struck first to dismiss Tamim Iqbal for 5 as the opener
returned to competitive cricket from a long hiatus. Farhad Reza then took out
Lurie Evans for 14 to further jolt Dhaka before Anamul Haque Bijoy and Jaker
Ali Anik shared 40-run and gave the side a hope to make a healthy score.
But some electrifying fielding effort saw Anik’s run-out dismissal for
21 and triggered a collapse from which they couldn’t recover. Even the big
hitters like Thisara Perera and Shahid Afrid were strangled for runs and
ended up scoring just 1 and 0 respectively, much to the disappointment of
Dhaka fans.
Anamul’s 38 was the highest score for Dhaka. Abu Jayed Rahi claimed 2-43
for Rajshahi while Farhad Reza, Taijul Islam, Alok Kapali and Ravi Bopara
grabbed one wicket apiece.
BSS/SMP/RY/17:58 hrs