Khulna Tigers reached the four-team play-off stage of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Cricket at the coffin of Durbar Rajshahi, beating lowly Dhaka Capitals by six wickets with 19 balls remaining in their last match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur Saturday afternoon
With the day’s feat, Mehidy Hasan Miraz-led Khulna Tigers (0.184) assured the play-off stage toppling Durbar Rajshahi (-1.030) by virtue of better net run rate despite collecting 12 points each from all the 12 league matches.
League leader Fortune Barisal already assured the top-two team “qualifiers” securing 18 points from eleven matches, now playing the 3rd ranked Chittagong Kings (14 points) in last league match Saturday evening.
Chittagong Kings needed just a victory against Fortune Barisal to assure top two team’s qualifiers, otherwise they will play in the eliminator of the four-team play off stage giving an easy passage for Rangpur Riders (16 points) to play in qualifiers
Favored by coin in the day’s first match, lowly Dhaka Capitals opened the innings first after winning the toss and folded the innings at 129 for 9 in quota 20 overs with opener Tanzid Hasan contributing the team highest 58 runs off 37 balls hitting one four and seven sixes.
Besides, Sabbir Rahman (20), Mehedi Hasan Rana (13) and national coloured opener Litton Das (10) were main scorers for Dhaka Capitals reaching the double digit.
National medium pacer Hasan Mahmu and Austraila right arm offbreak bowler William Bosisto took two wickets each conceding 5 and 10 runs respectively.
Chasing an easy target, Khulna Tigers scored the 128 runs for the loss of four wickets in 16.5 overs to assure the comfortable victory.
National all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz came to open the innings and contributed an unbeaten 74 runs off 55 balls featuring five fours and four sixes and was adjudged the players of the match.
Beside, Alex Ross (22), William Bosisto (18) were other main scorers for Khulna Tigers scoring the double figure runs.
National coloured Mustafizur Rahman grabbed three wickets for 26 runs while Rahmat Ali took one for 24 runs.