Cricket: Dhaka defeat Rangpur by 42 runs

Table toppers Dhaka Dynamites consolidated their position after giving Rangpur Riders a 42-run thumping in the 34th match of Bangladesh Premier League 2016 at Mirpur stadium today.

Chasing the massive target of 189 runs, Rangpur were never in the contest as they lost early wickets and found themselves floundering at 3-32 inside six overs. After Soumya Sarkar became the sixth wicket to fall inside nine overs with 46 runs on the board, the writing was on the wall for the Riders. Ziaur Rahman smashed 60 from 43 with six four and three sixes to his name, but only managed to reduce the margin of defeat with his entertaining innings.

Abu Jayed of Dhaka Dynamites gave his skipper the early breakthroughs, and finished with three for 20 in four overs. Shakib took two wickets for 11 runs in four overs to peg back Rangpur.

Earlier, a whirlwind knock of 75 from only 34 balls from opener Ervin Lewis helped Dhaka Dynamites to post 188 for 7 after 20. Dhaka Dynamites captain Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and opted to bat first.

Dhaka’s openers, Mehedi Maruf and especially Lewis were in gung-ho mode as they began their assault on Rangpur bowlers from the onset. The first wicket stand of 103 runs in 9.5 overs, the fifth highest partnership in BPL 2016 built the perfect platform for the batters to up the ante late in the innings.

Unfortunately for Dhaka, their batsmen could not capitalize on the flying start and failed to extend the game beyond Rangpur’s reach.

Ervin Lewis, fresh from his highest ODI knock of 148 against Sri Lanka only week ago hammered eight sixes and three fours in his 75. Mehedi scored 40 from 31 with three fours and three sixes to his name.

For Rangpur, Rubel Hossain was the most successful bowler for his side, and he captured three wickets for 25 runs in four overs.

Score

Dhaka Dynamites: 188/7 (20 overs)

Ervin 75, Mehedi 40, Rubel 3-25

Rangpur Riders: 146/8 (20 overs )

Ziaur 60, Sohag 36, Abu jayed 3-20

Result: Dhaka Dynamites win by 42 runs