Dynamites first to race into last four
Lewis smacks eight sixes in his 75-run knock
Sports Reporter
A rampant Dhaka Dynamites consolidated its top spot and became the first team in BPL-4 to confirm the top four, crushing Rangpur Riders by 42 runs yesterday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Dhakas West Indian recruit Evin Lewis, who played his first game this season, paved the platform of an emphatic victory, smashing a marauding 34-ball 75 which gave the side an imposing total of 188 for seven. Riders were clueless in the chase of a big total but saved them from being red-faced, scoring finally 146 for eight.
The victory took Dhakas net run rate such high that even defeats in the last two matches could hardly affect them unless any miraculous incident happens. Dhaka have now 14 points and in contrary, Riders third successive defeat forced their net run hit absolutely low and almost faded away their chance, giving other three teams Chittagong Vikings, Khulna Titans and Rajshahi Kings an opportunity to register top four places with ease.
However the way Lewis kick-started Dhakas innings, it appeared that the side could be the first team to score 200 runs in the season. Lewis, aided by in form Mehedi Maruf combined for a 103 runs in just 10 overs, much to the despair of the Riders who were left clueless as to how they should bowl to resist the duo.
Lewis took Riders bowlers in disdain from the words go and brought up his fifty off just 21 balls with a flurry of sixes. He got off the mark with a four, powerfully cut past the point and then pulled him over long on fence for maximum. Then he didnt look back as he sent the crowd in delirium, hitting six after six.
In total, he smacked eight sixes and two fours in his brilliant knock, making the opponents hapless. Maruf wasnt as aggressive as the partner but he too made enough carnage to ensure Dhaka would head towards a big total. Maruf made 40 off 33 with three fours and as many sixes.
However Soumya Sarkar brought up some relief in the tent, having dismissed both of them in his consecutive overs. In between Ziaur Rahman picked up the wicket of Sekugge Prasanna to leave Dhaka 122 for three in 12 overs, from 103 for no loss in 10 overs.
Riders then amended the damage done by the Lewis and Maruf by showing some good bowling effort that stemmed the run flow of the Dynamites.
Skipper Shakib Al Hasan held together the innings amid the fall of wicket at the other hand and his 20 ball-29 was the reason Dhaka finally closed in on 190. Still they could touch the magical figure of 200 but Rubel Hossain honed the art of death bowling in excellent fashion to resist Dhaka. He finally returned figures of three for 25 while Soumya and Ziaur Rahman took two wickets apiece.
Dhaka fans might feel aggrieved of not going past 200 but the total was out of reach given the fragile batting line up of Riders. In their desperate bid to give them a shot to win the match, Shahid Afridi was sent as opener alongside Nasir Jamshed. Afridi however was removed with two ball-duck to spark Rangpurs collapse.
No one in the top six took the responsibility to drive the innings as Rangpur were left in tittering 46 for six. Abu Jayed Rahi and Shakib Al Hasan indeed scythed down their top order to make the match a cake-walk for them.
Ziaur Rahman however hit an unbeaten 60 off 43 with six fours and three sixes to help the side reduce the margin. He was supported by Sohag Gazis 26 ball-33 as the duo shared 87 runs for the seventh wicket.
Abu Jayed Rahi claimed three for 20 while Shakib Al Hasan ended with two four 11 in four overs.
