Dhaka Platoon sent packing
Dhaka Platoon could not avoid being knocked out of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League as the side succumbed to a seven-wicket defat against Chattogram Challengers in the eliminator match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.
Chattogram faced little to no resistance as they cruised to the modest 145-run target set by Dhaka with forty balls to spare.
With Chris Gayle and Ziaur Rahman opening the innings, Chattogram made a solid start. Ziaur, who was promoted to the opener in this match, paired up with big-hitter Gayle to add 42 runs for the first wicket before he was eventually dismissed on a 12-ball 25.
Imrul Kayes then combined with Gayle to put Chattogram within touching distance of the target before both batsmen departed with 30-plus scored. Mahmudullah was the one to finish the job with a six while remaining unbeaten with 34 runs off 14 balls.
With this win, Chattogram kept their hopes for a place in the final alive as they will now take on Rajshahi Royals, who lost the first qualifier against Khulna Tigers in the day’s second match, in the second qualifier tomorrow.
Earlier, Dhaka were asked to bat first after skipper Mashrafe surprisingly came for the toss despite his injury, which was sustained while fielding against Khulna on Saturday. The inspirational skipper played with 14 stitches in his left hand.
However, Dhaka were dealt a huge blow when Rubel Hossain bowled the experienced Tamim Iqbal for three to start the proceedings. Things went from bad to worse for Dhaka after that as they lost a number of wickets in no time and were reeling on 43 for five inside nine overs.
It was opener Mominul Haque who held his ground though but he too departed after scoring 31 while Asif Ali also departed cheaply (five) as Dhaka seemingly found it difficult to even pass the hundred-run mark at one stage.
Shadab Khan and Thisara Perera made amend though, adding 44 runs for the eight wicket before the latter departed on 25 runs off 13 balls.
Shadab remained unbeaten on 64-runs off 41 balls, featuring five fours and three sixes, as Dhaka put on 51 runs in the last three overs to post 144 for eight.
West Indian seamer Rayad Emrit picked up three wickets while Rubel and left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed bagged two wickets each for Chattogram.
