Dynamites complete playoffs lineup
Shakib Al Hasan's Dhaka Dynamites made the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) playoffs after defeating Khulna Titans by six wickets at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.
In chase of Khulna's paltry total of 123, Sunil Narine got Dynamites off to a flier, smashing a 13-ball 35 with two fours and four sixes. After Narine and Shakib's departure, Upul Tharanga took to scoring his runs quickly. He struck a 30-ball 42 before falling prey to Mahmudullah Riyad. Kieron Pollard (9) and Nurul Hasan (27) finished off the chase with six wickets and 5.1 overs to spare as Dhaka made the playoffs spot at the expense of Rajshahi Kings courtesy of a better run-rate and qualifying behind Rangpur Riders, Comilla Victorians and Chittagong Vikings.
Earlier, a tight bowling performance saw Dhaka restrict Rajshahi to 123 for nine in 20 overs. The batting-order of Mahmudullah Riyad's side had failed to fire throughout the tournament and they did not make amends in the final group phase match today as well.
Shakib Al Hasan and Rubel Hossain struck early, removing Brendon Taylor and Junaid Siddique respectively before Dawid Malan perished, out leg-before to Rubel as well. Skipper Mahmudullah (14 off 17) and youngster Nazmul Hossain (24 off 20) tried to resurrect the innings but once Shakib picked up Nazmul, the innings stuttered further. David Wiese's 27-ball 30, before he was run-out in the final delivery, allowed Titans to reach 123.
Andre Russell bowled an economic spell, conceding just 14 in his four overs without getting a wicket while Rubel and Shakib finished with two wickets each.
Brief scores:
Khulna Titans: 123/9 (Nazmul 24, Wiese 30, Rubel 2/27, Shakib 2/32)
Dhaka Dynamites: 124/4 in 14.5 overs (Tharanga 42, Narine 35, Nurul 27*, Mahmudullah 2/14)
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