Bangladesh Premier League Result : Rangpur Riders Beat Dhaka Capitals By 40 Runs

Add as a preferred source on Google

Rangpur Riders started their Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2024-25 with a commanding 40-run win over Dhaka Capitals on Monday. The second match of the opening day saw Rangpur deliver an impressive performance with both bat and ball, setting a strong precedent for the season ahead.

Opting to bat after losing the toss, Rangpur posted a formidable total of 191/6, powered by crucial knocks from Saif Hassan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Khushdil Shah, all contributing over 40 runs.

In reply, Dhaka Capitals crumbled under the pressure of Rangpur's sharp bowling attack, spearheaded by an outstanding display from Sheikh Mehedi Hasan, and managed only 151/9.

Rangpur faced early trouble when Steven Taylor and Alex Hales were dismissed with just 20 runs on the board. However, Saif Hassan and Iftikhar Ahmed anchored the innings with a vital third-wicket partnership of 89 runs off 65 deliveries. Saif played a steady hand, scoring 40 runs off 33 balls, featuring two fours and two sixes, before falling. Iftikhar Ahmed, bringing his experience to the fore, top-scored with a fluent 49 off 38 balls, laced with eight boundaries. After Saif's departure, Khushdil Shah took charge, stitching a 23-run partnership with Iftikhar before the latter was dismissed.

The innings was given a strong finish by Khushdil and skipper Nurul Hasan Sohan, who added a rapid 41 runs in just 18 balls for the fifth wicket. Khushdil remained unbeaten on 46 from 23 balls, smashing three fours and three sixes, while Sohan contributed a brisk 25 off 11 balls, with all but one run coming from boundaries.

Chasing a challenging target of 192, Dhaka Capitals got off to a promising start, with openers Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Liton Das putting together 65 runs in 7.2 overs. Tanzid scored a lively 30 off 21 balls, including two fours and two sixes, while Liton contributed 31 off 27 balls, hitting three fours and one six.

Sheikh Mehedi Hasan's game-changing spell, however, derailed Dhaka's innings. Mehedi dismissed both openers in quick succession, leaving Dhaka in disarray. He finished with stellar figures of 4/27 in his four overs, dismantling Dhaka's batting order. His victims also included Habibul Rahman Sohan and Farmanullah Shafiq.

The rest of Dhaka's batting lineup failed to put up significant resistance. Stephen Eskinazi managed 17 off 21 balls, skipper Thisara Perera added 17, Mokidul Islam Mugdho chipped in with 18, and Nazmul Islam Apu scored 12. Despite some efforts, Dhaka fell well short of the target.

Khushdil Shah supported Mehedi with the ball, taking 2/15 in two overs, while Mohammad Saifuddin, Kamrul Rabbi, and Rakibul Hasan grabbed one wicket each. Though Nahid Rana remained wicketless, his economical spell of 3-0-11-0 compounded Dhaka's struggles.

Earlier, Dhaka's bowlers had a mixed outing, occasionally troubling Rangpur's batsmen. Al-Amin Babu claimed 3/39, while Mokidul Islam Mugdho and Mustafizur Rahman picked up two and one wicket, respectively.

Rangpur Riders' comprehensive team effort, led by standout performances from Sheikh Mehedi Hasan and Khushdil Shah, secured a dominant victory and a bright start to their campaign. Dhaka Capitals, on the other hand, will aim to regroup and recover in the matches ahead.