In a commanding display, Rangpur Riders secured a convincing victory against Durdanto Dhaka in the 12th match of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on Saturday in Sylhet.
Rangpur Riders posted a challenging total of 183/8, anchored by a stellar performance from Player of the Match Babar Azam, who contributed a match-winning 62 runs off 46 balls.
Fielding first, Durdanto Dhaka faced a daunting task from the outset as Brandon King, Babar Azam, and Azmatullah Omarzai showcased their batting prowess.
Despite the spirited bowling efforts of Arafat Sunny, who claimed three crucial wickets, Rangpur Riders set a challenging target.
Durdanto Dhaka's response fell short as they crumbled to 104 all-out in 16.3 overs. The top-order struggled against Riders' bowling attack, with Azmatullah Omarzai making a significant impact, securing two crucial wickets. Alex Ross displayed resilience, scoring 51 off 35 balls, but the mounting required run rate proved insurmountable.
Despite securing a victory, Riders face uncertainties with the fitness of key player Shakib Al Hasan, who couldn't bat in the match ostensibly for an ongoing eye illness.
Shakib, diagnosed with Extrafoveal Central Serous Chorioretinopathy of the left eye, bowled three overs and claimed a wicket. Although the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) hinted at his potential absence from the BPL, Shakib surprisingly took part in the match, leaving the reasons behind his skipped batting unclear.