Rafique, Ash trigger Sultans’ collapse
Veteran Mohammad Rafique showed a glimpse of his prowess to ruin any batting line up yet at the age of 40 with a magical bowling display which set up a 40-run win over Sultans of Sylhet as Dhaka Dynamites kept up their unbeaten run in the National Cricket League (NCL) Twenty20 Tournament at BKSP ground No 2 on Tuesday.
With the limited resource on the board, Rafique unearthed his stunning bowling capability to haul four wickets for just seven runs to knock out Mashrafe Bin Mortoza’s side from the match who had to chase down just 134 runs target.
A sublime Rafique held off them with the significant support from skipper Ashraful, who also scalped three wickets to wrap up Sylhet for 93 runs in 17.3 overs.
After sending Dhaka in batting, Mashrafe justified his decision with wrecking the top order in a gem of pace bowling effort that left Dhaka to a miserable 41 for five.
The pace speared continued his rich vein of form with getting rid of dangerman Imran Nazir, who started the innings explosively. The agony extended when Jahirul Islam Omee trapped run out without facing any ball and Nazmul Hossain sprayed skipper Ashraful wicket’s to dismiss him on naught as Dhaka Dynamites saw the scoreboard reading 20 for three from 20 for one.
Mashrafe then again struck having scalped Dhaka’s last hope Mahmudullah Ryad (1) and a threat of dismissing below 100 runs mark became visible.
Dhaka’s Sri Lanka recruit Jeevan Mendis and Shamsur Rahman Shuvo seemed to rejuvenate the innings but Rashed Hanif had taken Shuvo to trigger further collapse. Yet Mendis and Mehrab Hossain Junior denied to succumb and counterattacked Mashrafe and co with grace and confidence. In the process they shared 86 runs to help the side propel past 100 runs mark. Mendis played 39 ball-40 runs knock with three fours while Mehrab Junior topscored with 58 off 44 cracking five fours and two sixes.
Mashrafe ended the match with three for 24 while Nazmul and Rashed Hanif grabbed one wicket apiece. With the limited resource Dhaka Dynamites still held the nerve as Rafique helped the side hit back with a bang. He opened the bowling to take Nazmus Sadat to finish it with maiden wicket. After the first over setback Sylhet never got back in the match and they looked simply insipid against Rafique. The veteran was ably supported by Mohammad Ashraful whose leg spin was grievously perplexing for the Sultans.
Both of them shared seven wickets while paceman Shahadat Hossain added the pressure with his disciplined bowling to snatch a thrilling win.
Alok Kapali was the topscorer of the side with 33 while Nazmul Hossain with 21 and Ariful Haque with 10 were the other two batsmen to reach double digit.
Rafique snared four wickets for just seven runs in his 3.3 overs while Ashraful bagged three for 13 runs. Rafique was adjudged man of the match.
Thursday’s matches
Rajshahi Rangers vs Sultans of Sylhet (SBNS at 1 pm); Cyclones of Chittagong vs Barisal Blazers (BKSP ground No 2 at 2.10 pm); Dhaka Dynamites vs Kings of Khulna (SBNS at 5.20 pm).
