Dynamites keep winning streak intact beating Sixers
Dhaka Dynamite kept their winning streak intact as they beat Sylhet Sixers by 32 runs on Saturday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in their fourth match of the sixth season of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) to cement their place at the top of the point-table.
A late counter-attack by Nicholas Pooran meant nothing to Sylhet, but a delayed defeat. The West Indian recruit of the Sixers struck 72 off 47 balls with a four and nine sixes. But his explosive show went in vain as the other batsmen of Sylhet disappointed to accompany him when in need.
Along with Nicholas, Sabbir Rahman (12) and Taskin Ahmed (18) were the others two batsmen of the Sixers to reach the two-digit scores. They ended up scoring 141 for 9 in 20 overs.
Rubel Hossain, the right-arm pace bowler of the national side, took three wickets for Dhaka conceding 22 runs while Shakib Al Hasan and Shuvagata Hom took two scalps each.
The other wicket of Sylhet that fell in the match went to the rookie spinner Alis Islam who recorded a hat-trick in the previous match on Friday against the defending BPL title holder Rangpur Riders.
Earlier in the match, Dhaka Dynamites posted a challenging total of 173/7. Rony Talukdar was the highest runs getter for Dhaka as he hit 58. Sunil Narine, Shakib Al Hasan and Naim Sheikh were the other batsman to score more than 20-run mark.
Taskin Ahmed, the right-arm pacer, bagged three wickets - Andre Russell (5), Kieron Pollard (3) and Shuvagata Hom (0) - in his third over conceding only four runs. Before the over, Dhaka were hoping for a big score staying at 123 for four.
Before Taskin Ahmed showing his glimpses on Saturday evening, Rony Talukdar was at the point of attention as he struck 58 off 34 with hitting five fours and three sixes along the way and was adjourned man of the match.
Dhaka started the innings after winning the toss with a big blow as they lost Hazratullah Zazai, who hit two fifties in the first two outings for Dhaka, having only four runs on the board.
But, Dhaka controlled well the initial damage as Sunil Narine and Rony Talukdar added 67 runs in the second wicket stand.
Narine fell for 25 runs as the second wicket. Rony and Shakib Al Hasan added 35 runs in the third wicket stand. Rony hit his fifty from 31 balls and became the second local batsman after Mehidy Hasan Miraz to hit a fifty in the ongoing BPL.
After the dismissals of Rony and Shakib, Dhaka lost three wickets in quick succession. But, in the eighth wicket stand, Nurul Hasan Shohan and Naiem Sheikh added 48 runs off 32 balls. And eventually, Dhaka posted a challenging total of 173/7 in 20 overs.
Taskin Ahmed was the best bowler for Sylhet as he bagged three wickets conceding 38 runs while Sohail Tanvir, Al Amin Hossain, Afif Hossain and Alok Kapali took one each for the Sixers.
Dhaka will face off Rajshahi Kings on 16 January at 1:30 pm in Sylhet International Stadium in their next game, and Sylhet Sixer will lock horn with Comilla Victorians on January 15 in Sylhet at 6:30pm.
