Dhaka Dynamites clinched the elusive crown of the Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 defeating Rajshahi Kings by a convincing margin of 56 runs in Mirpir’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Chasing Dhaka’s 159/9, Rajshahi’s innings folded for just 103 runs. Dhaka captain Shakib al Hasan took two important wickets, that of opening batsman Mominul Haque and opposition skipper Darren Sammy, while paceman Abu Jayed and left-arm spinner Sanjamul Islam shared four wickets between themselves.
Rajshahi made a shaky start while chasing as the other opener Nurul Hasan got out in the third over scoring only five. But Mominul and Sabbir Rahman batted confidently for Rajshahi, forming a 47-run partnership for the second wicket.
However, Sabbir (26) was dismissed in the 10th over after a mix-up with Mominul and it turned out to be quite for Rajshahi. Mominul (27) was soon trapped in front of wicket just fours ball later by Shakib. From there, Rajshahi faced a mini-collapse and lost wickets at regular intervals.
Sammy (six) smashed a six off Shakib in the 14th over but the latter took his revenge in the very next ball by fooling the former and hitting the timber.
Rajshahi’s hopes of claiming their maiden title faded away when all-rounder Samit Patel (17) was caught by West Indies’ Andre Russell in the 15th over. All-rounder Russell covered a lot of ground from long on and took a brilliant diving catch to dismiss the Englishman.
Youngster Mehedi Hasan Miraz (one) and the experienced Farhad Reza (two) also got out in quick succession.
Things got worse for Rajshahi when their No 10 batsman Kesrick Williams suffered a nasty blow on the right hand and went out injured.
Dhaka’s wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara was adjudged player of the match while Khulna Titans captain Mahmudullah was named man of the series for his 396 runs and 10 wickets.
Earlier, Rajshahi won the toss and elected to field first.
The in-form Mehedi Maruf and batsman Evin Lewis opened the innings for Dhaka. Rajshahi made the breakthrough in the fourth over when Maruf (eight) was caught at point off the bowling of Miraz.
All-rounder Nasir Hossain (five) came in at No 3 but departed cheaply while trying to clear the boundary against youngster Afif Hossain only to be stumped by stumper Nurul.
Dhaka were in further trouble in the seventh over when right-hander Mosaddek Hossain also went back to pavilion after scoring just five.
The veteran Sangakkara then joined the party and stitched together a vital 41-run partnership alongside Lewis for the fourth wicket.
West Indies’ Lewis played a superb knock of 45 runs off just 31 balls with eight boundaries. Windies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo (13) and Russell (eight) were unable to score big and at one stage, Dhaka were struggling on 113 for 6 inside the 16th over.
Surprisingly, ace all-rounder Shakib came in to bat at No 8 and scored 12 off seven balls.
Sangakkara anchored the innings superbly making 36 runs from 33 deliveries with the help of two fours and a beautiful Dil-scoop sixer.
Farhad was the best Rajshahi bowler taking three wickets conceding 28 runs.
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