Right then, that's all from this game. The Bangladesh Premier League 2023 action continues on Saturday, 04th February. The first game of the day sees the Chattogram Challengers take on the Comilla Victorians and it will begin at 1.00 pm IST (7.30 am GMT). That game will be followed by the Rangpur Riders taking on the Sylhet Strikers and it will begin at 6.00 pm IST (12.30 pm GMT). As always, you can join us in advance for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!
Nurul Hasan, the skipper of Rangpur Riders is the Player of the Match for his match-winning knock of 61 runs from 33 balls. He says It was an important match to qualify and credit to the bowlers to keep them to a low total. Adds that they did a few mistakes in the middle overs but winning the game makes him happy at the end. Closes by saying that they will look to do well in the coming matches and try to end in the top 2.
Nasir Hossain, the skipper of Dhaka Dominators, says that they were 25-30 runs short with the bat. Adds that they gave it their all with the ball and in the field to get the win and almost won it.
Time for Presentations...
Earlier in the game, after Nurul Hasan opted to bowl first, Rangpur Riders set the tone early picking three wickets in the Powerplay. They were clinical with the ball throughout the innings and that allowed them to restrict the Dhaka Dominators to 130. While chasing a below-par total, they did stutter to the target but their batters got the job done in the final over.
With not a big total to defend, the onus was on the Dhaka Dominators bowlers to start well and take early inroads. Shoriful Islam struck twice inside the first three overs and got them off to a perfect start. However, other bowlers failed to capitalize on that start and allowed the opposition batters to release the pressure. With two set batters out in the middle, Dhaka Dominators were down and out in the game but the dismissal of Rony Talukdar opened the doors for them. They clawed their way back into the game and had Rangpur Riders on the ropes. But the small total meant they emerged second best tonight. Nasir Hossain took four wickets while Shoriful Islam accounted for three wickets but they failed to get their side the win in this game.
We have witnessed a cliffhanger here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. Rangpur Riders do it the hard way but they eventually get over the line with three balls to spare. They seal their playoffs berth and by doing so, knock Dhaka Dominators out of the competition. While chasing a low total, Rangpur Riders were put under the pump early losing two early wickets. Rony Talukdar and Nurul Hasan then got together and helped their side recover with a 93-run stand. With just 28 more needed to win, they were cruising in the chase. The dismissal of both set batters triggered a mini collapse and they were 8 wickets down in no time. With 5 needed to win in the final over, Haris Rauf held his nerves and hit the winning runs to see his side home.
RANGPUR RIDERS
133/8 (19.3)
61 (33)
34 (39)
4/20 (4)
3/18 (4)
Over 20
1
2
4
Haris Rauf*
7 (4)
Azmatullah Omarzai
7 (9)
Muktar Ali
0/23 (1.3)
RAN
133/8
4
19.3
Muktar Ali to Haris Rauf ,FOUR! Haris Rauf does it for the RIDERS and takes them over the line in a tense match at Dhaka. Muktar Ali bowls a short of a length ball outside off, Haris Rauf was waiting for it and clubs it hard to the deep square leg fence for a boundary to get a win for the Rangpur Riders and take them to the playoffs.
Slight halt! Haris Rauf is experiencing cramps in his left wrist and needs medical attention.
2
19.2
Muktar Ali to Haris Rauf ,Full and in the slot, Haris Rauf lofts it to the mid-wicket region and falls in no man's land. Allows the batter to complete two.
1
19.1
Muktar Ali to Azmatullah Omarzai ,Fuller one on off, Azmatullah Omarzai works it to mid on for a single.
Muktar Ali has been given the task of bowling the final over. Rangpur Riders need 5 from the last 6 balls.
Over 19
0
W
W
1
1
0
Haris Rauf*
1 (2)
Azmatullah Omarzai
6 (8)
Nasir Hossain
4/20 (4)
RAN
126/8
0
18.6
Nasir Hossain to Haris Rauf ,Fuller on the stumps, Haris Rauf gets low and tucks it to short mid-wicket. We get into the final over with Rangpur Riders requiring 5 runs to win.
1
18.5
Nasir Hossain to Azmatullah Omarzai ,Flatter on the middle and leg, Azmatullah Omarzai tucks it to square leg for a single.
1
18.4
Nasir Hossain to Haris Rauf ,Flatter on off, Haris Rauf slices it off the outside edge to the point region for one.
Haris Rauf is the new man in and will face the hat-trick ball.
W
18.3
Nasir Hossain to Rakibul Hasan ,OUT! GONE! Nasir Hossain is on fire! Bowls a quicker and flatter one on the stumps, Rakibul Hasan plays all around it as the ball crashes through the gate. Rangpur Riders lose their 8th and Nasir Hossain is on a hat-trick.