Rangpur started their innings slowly, gathering 13 runs without losing a wicket in the first three overs. However, things took a sharp turn as they lost four wickets for just five runs! Arafat Al Islam made a great impact with two wickets, while Abu Hider Rony chipped in with another, and there was also a run-out.
Amid the excitement, Ariful Islam and Tanvir Haider stepped up to steady the ship with a vital 24-run partnership. Ariful scored 14 runs before being dismissed when the team total was 42. Luckily, Tanvir teamed up with Enamul Haque and added another 23 runs, helping guide Rangpur to victory.
With a modest target in sight, Rangpur only needed a couple of solid partnerships to secure the win, which they managed to pull off despite an early scare.
Earlier in the game, Dhaka Metro struggled against Rangpur’s fierce bowling attack and set a very low target of just 63 runs.
Mukidul Islam Mugdha and Alauddin Babu led the charge with the ball, dismantling Dhaka’s batting order, which crumbled to just 62 runs in 16.3 overs.
After winning the toss, Rangpur decided to bowl first and struck right away! Dhaka’s opener, Imranuzzaman, went for just 4 runs in the first over, falling to Mugdha. In the next over, captain Naim Sheikh was dismissed for a duck, caught behind off Alauddin Babu, adding to Dhaka’s woes.
Mugdha made an impressive return in the third over, taking two wickets in a row, dismissing Anisul Islam (3) and Aminul Islam Biplob (0). Dhaka was left reeling at 8/4. Babu kept up the pressure in the fifth over, taking out Tahzibul Islam, while Robiul Haque bowled a maiden over in the sixth. By the end of the powerplay, Dhaka was struggling at 18/5.
Shamsur Rahman and Mosaddek Hossain tried to settle things down with a 17-run partnership, but Shamsur’s dismissal for 14 runs (28 balls, including 2 fours) disrupted their progress. Mosaddek soon followed, scoring 6 runs off 15 balls, leaving Dhaka in a tough spot at 38/7.
Abu Hider Rony and Shahidul Islam put on a brief show, pushing the score past 50, but Rony was run out after a quick 13 off 9 balls, bringing Dhaka to 52/8. The remaining wickets fell quickly for just 10 more runs, with Shahidul contributing a modest 6 off 16 balls and Rakibul adding 3 off 9 balls.
Mugdha and Babu shone brightly with the ball, each taking three wickets for just 12 runs in their spells. Chowdhury Rizwan, Robiul Haque, and Arif Ahmed also managed to snag one wicket each, adding to the excitement of a thrilling match!
