Dynamic team effort keeps Dhaka on top
Barisal face difficult equation to stay alive
Sports Reporter
Dhaka Dynamites put a disciplined performance to regain the top spot of the BPL-4 yesterday after their four-wicket victory over Barisal Bulls at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Firstly the Dynamites bowlers thrived in an immaculate fashion to hold Bulls back to 132 for five after which the batsmen batted sensibly to take the side home with four balls to spare, making 135 for six. The margin of the defeat though gave a false impression of Dhaka batsmens struggle, the victory was inevitable after the 55-run partnership between Nasir Hossain and Mosaddek Hossain Saikat for the fourth wicket. They lost three more wickets against the play but that never allowed the Bulls to lift the mood.
Basically the methodical batting kept Dhaka on top always in the game despite they lost an in form opener Mehedi Maruf in the third ball of the chase. Marufs rare batting failure however didnt have any adverse impact on the team as Kumar Sangakkara and Shakib Al Hasan stabbed off Barisals plea of taking more early wickets with 52-run partnership.
Left arm spinner Taijul Islam who removed Maruf for 1 in the first over, broke through the partnership, taking the prized scalp of Sangakkara for 32 after he sent the ball across the ropes for four times.
In the next over, Enamul Haque got rid of Shakib for 22, leaving Dhaka 58 for three in the 10th over. It was the moment when they dared to take a stranglehold of the match.
Nasir Hossain and Mosaddek Hossain batted sensibly, knowing that just one mere partnership could take them through. They didnt go for any ambitious shot with the victory was in striking distance. It needed an excellent delivery from Monir Hossain to pin Nasir in front after he hammered 29 ball-34 with two fours and a six. Dhaka was just 20 runs away of the victory at that point.
Sekugge Prasanna and Saikat took the side almost on the verge of the victory before the latter perished to a rare loose shot while the former was run out after trying to steal second run. Dwayne Bravo took a doubles and then hit a four past mid-off to seal the deal.
Barisal Bulls opted to bat first, sensing the wicket would be easier to bat on. It was easier indeed but Abu Jayed Rahi delivered an economical spell and backed up by the fielders whose electrifying fielding made the all difference.
Rahi removed Shahriar Nafees for 3 and then two excellent through from Mehedi Maruf and Mosaddek Hossain Saikat caught Dilshan Munaweera and Jeevan Mendis well short from the crease. Those two run out dismissals were the defining moment of the game indeed.
Mushfiqur Rahim started rebuilding job with the side at perilous 37 for three in seven overs. Just when Mushfiqur Rahim looked set to take the game away, Dhaka bowlers propped up their game in a steely resolve. An arm ball, Shakibs most potent weapon, cut off Mushfiqur as he scored 36 off 30.
Dwayne Bravo once again showed the skill of slower deliveries while Ravi Bopara aided him superbly to stem the run flow during the death overs. Rumman Raees however broke the shackle and played an astonishing knock of 13 ball-25 with two fours and one six which actually gave Bulls bowlers something to defend against a mighty opponent.
