Chittagong Vikings ensured their playoff spot when they earned an 11-run victory over Dhaka Dynamites in the 37th match of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 on Wednesday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
Chasing a winning target of 175 runs set by Chittagong, Dhaka found the chase stiff and eventually restricted them at 163 for 9 in 20 overs, reports BSS.
Chittagong were the third team to ensure their playoff ticket after Rangpur Riders and Comilla Victorians.
Dhaka Dynamites started the chase badly as they lost three batsmen — Sunil Narine, Rony Talukder and Mizanur Rahman — at 23 runs in the score board.
Skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Nurul Hasan however took the responsibility to stop the rot as the duo shared an important 50 runs for the fourth wicket stand to take the team to a comfortable position.
Dhaka’s bowlers again struck on Rajshahi’s innings as Delport broke the partnership removing Nurul Hasan who scored 23-ball off 33 runs with the help of two boundaries and equal number of over boundaries before being trapped leg before wicket.
Shakib kept the scoreboard ticking as he again paired for another 66 runs for the sixth wicket stand with Andre Russell but Shanaka broke the partnership in the crucial moment removing Russell who scored 23-ball off 39 runs hitting four boundaries and two over boundaries.
Shakib offered resistance scoring a responsible 42-ball off 53 runs but he hardly got support from the other end as the Chittagong’s bowlers continued their inroads picking up wickets in regular intervals. Shakib smashed six boundaries before he fell victim to Dasun Shanaka.
Abu Jayed was the pick of Chittagong’s bowlers taking three Dhaka’s wickets conceding 25 runs while Shanaka claimed two wickets for 24 runs.
Cameron Delport of Chittagong was named the player of the match for his impressive batting performance.
Earlier, opener Cameron Delport’s blistering half century helped Chittagong Vikings to post a challenging total of 174 for 5 from their stipulated 20 overs after they decided to bat first.
The South African recruit left handed batsman Delport blasted 57-ball off 71 runs with the help of five boundaries and four over boundaries and during the process he shared 79-runs stand with Mushfiqur Rahim who chipped away 24- ball off 43-runs hitting four boundaries and two over boundaries. Mohammad Shahzad (21) and Yasir Ali (19) were the other notable scorers for Chittagong.
Andre Russell was the most successful bowler as he claimed three Chittagong’s wickets giving away 38 runs. He was well supported by Sunil Narine who bagged two wickets for 20 runs.
The day’s win not only guarantees them a spot in the playoffs, but also placed them in third position in the table with 14 points from 11 matches.
On the other hand Dhaka Dynamites remained at their previous credit of 10 points from ten outings.