BSP-19 Dhaka Dynamites reach BPL final in style

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BSP-19

CRICKET-BPL-DHAKA

Dhaka Dynamites reach BPL final in style

DHAKA, Feb 6,2019 (BSS)- It was an all round performance came from Andre Russell steered star studded Dhaka Dynamites to the coveted final of Bangladesh Premier League T20 with a five- wicket victory over defending champions Rangpur Riders in the second qualifier held on Wednesday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur.

Dhaka Dynamites will now face Comilla Victorians in the grand final scheduled to be held on Friday at the same venue.

Russell, after taking two Rangpur’s wickets in the first innings, was also shine with bat as he blazed unbeaten 19-ball off 40 runs as Dhaka Dynamites chase down the target easily making 147 for the loss of five wickets with 20 balls to spare after Rangpur Riders set a winning target of 143 runs.

Dhaka Dynamites lost their opener Upal Tharanga in the fourth ball of the first over. Shakib Al Hasan (23) and Sunil Narine (14) then shared 37 runs for the second wickets stand to take Dhaka to a comfortable position.

But skipper Mashrafe Mortaza brought Rangpur in fight back in the match as he took the wicket of hard hitting batsman Kieron Pollard (14) while Rony Talukder (35) fall victim of unfortunate run out by a direct throw of Ravi Bopara.

But it was man of Andre Russell who killed all hope of Rangpur hitting three consecutive sixes of Nazmul Islam deliveries to take his side to the final. Russell smashed five over boundaries during his breezy match-winning knock.

Mashrafe Mortaza was the most successful bowler as he claimed two Dhaka’s wickets for 32 runs.

Rubel Hossain of Dhaka Dynamites was named the player of the match for his impressive bowling performance. Winning Dhaka’s captain Shakib Al Hasan said: “I thought we played really well. Rubel was fantastic with the ball and all the other bowlers too were fantastic. All in all it was a great team performance and none of us lost hope at any stage. We are in the finals and I can’t ask for more from my team.”

“All I want from my team now is to enjoy the next match, however, tough it might be. There will be some niggles in such a long tournament, but having said that nobody would want to miss the finals and everybody would be up for it.”

Rangpur Rider skipper Mashrafe Mortaza said: “142 is very difficult to defend, especially at night. We had the momentum with the first few overs, but we kept losing wickets all through. It was a good attempt by Nadif on debut, but he should have calculated his risks better.”

“The bowlers have been giving it their best, but the batting has been disappointing. The main series is coming up now in New Zealand and hopefully everybody would be fit and rearing to go.”

Earlier, Rangpur Riders posted a moderate total of 142 for all in 19.4 overs after they were forced to bat first by Dhaka Dynamites.

Openers Chris Gayle and Nadif Chowdhury gave Rangpur a good start contributing 42 runs for the opening stand before Rangpur suffered wobble losing three quick wickets at the same score.

Nadif was the first batsman to go as he fell to Shuvagata Hom after making 12-ball off 27 runs hitting two boundaries and three over boundaries while Rubel Hossain scalped the wicket of explosive batsman Gayle (15).

Inform batsman Rilee Rossouw failed to open his account as he was the victim of Qazi Anik.

English batsman Ravi Bopara and Mohammad Mithun steadied the innings contributing 64 runs for the fourth wickets stand before Qazi Anik again struck on Rangpur innings sending back to Mithun who scored 27-ball off 38 runs hitting two boundaries and equal number of over boundaries.

Ravi Bopara, the top scorer of Riders’ innings, one run short from his desired half century, hardly get any support from other end to stretch his innings as Dhaka’s bowlers picked up wickets in regular intervals.

Pacer Rubel Hossain was the pick of Dhaka’s bowlers as he grabbed four Rangpur’s wickets conceding 23runs. He was well supported by Andre Russell who bagged two wickets giving away 31 runs.

BSS/SG/MRU/2220hrs