BPL 2015 T20, Match # 7: Rangpur Riders Vs Dhaka Dynamites Played at SBNCS, Dhaka on 25 November 2015
Rangpur Riders 176/6 (LMP Simmons 51, M Mithun 34, NLTC Perera 27, Shakib Al Hasan 24*, Yasir Shah 2/24, Mustafiz 2/38) beat Dhaka Dynamites 107 All Out (KC Sangakkara 29, Shakib Al Hasan 4/16, NLTC Perera 3/25, Arafat Sunny 2/15) by 69 runs.
Player of the Match: Shakib Al Hasan (RR)
Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and Thisara Perera orchestrated Rangpur Riders defusing the Dhaka Dynamites. Shakib’s venomous left arm spin (4/16) and Perera’s pace and swing bowling did not allow detonation of dynamites.
Riders posted 176/6 batting first expertly. Dynamites response was stifled by Shakib, Perera and Sunny. The team from Dhaka miserably collapsed to mere 107. Riders achieved a huge win by 69 runs. While the sun keeps shinning for Riders, Dynamites are walking along the edge. Riders are now at the top of the table in BPL 3.
Shakib joined the BPL 2015 at the very last minute returning from USA. He stayed beside his wife after the birth of the couple’s first child. He was visibly jet lagged in the first match and did not appear in full steam in the second. But in the third match on Wednesday, the top all-rounder in all formats of international cricket was in his true elements. Batting a bit late he ensured that the team reaches to a defendable score. With the ball he was undecodable and turned into a destroyer in chief. He led his team with far sight and passion. Setting batting order and shuffling the bowling were admirable. For his brilliant all round acts he was adjudged the player of the match.
We observe that Rangpur Riders is one of the prime contenders for the top spot as they have the horses for the courses. Yesterday they could rest Pakistani master craftsman Misbah-ul-Haq but still looked formidable with the batting. Simmons, Soumya, Shakib, Perera and Sammy were all apt masters of this format. Whether batting first or chasing, RR appeared to have all gun powders in their arsenal to fire. They may not have Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Sami or Mustafizur in their lineup, but, Perera, Sammy and local boy Abu Jayed are more than capable pacers. RR possibly possess the best spin attack in Shakib, Sunny and Senanayake. RR has already proved that they have championship potential.
On the day Shakib played his card very smartly. Batting order was set thinking of the potential threat that was likely to come from Dynamites mystery craftsman Mustafiz. Shakib himself dropped down and Zahurul Islam for the late middle order. Opting to bat, Rider openers Simmons and Soumya launched the innings brisk. Soumya played few delightful strokes but looked a bit edgy. In all his recent innings he could not get going after rollicking start for temperamental issues. He must not always throw caution in the wind.
The pair put on useful 38 by 5th over before Soumya again stroked himself out scoring 18 with four strikes across the fence. He was removed by Mustafizur who was held back a little by Sangakkara. Simmons continued playing aggressively with typical Caribbean calypso flavor; wicket keeper Mithun gave him admirable support. Second wicket partnership added 56 useful runs. A launching pad was set. Simmons left after scoring 51 off 44 deliveries. His innings was stuffed with 5 strikes across the turf and three over it. Mithun also played a very useful knock of 34 in 22 deliveries. At 122/3 in the 14th over a tornado was expected. Cats and mouse game continued with batting order. Neither Shakib nor Zahurul came in to bat.
Rather blasters Perera and Sammy were tasked with launching the innings from strong foundation. Perera succeeded partially but Sammy was spun out by Yasir Shah. Perera struck some telling blows before Mustafiz, in his return spell, curtailed his surge. At 5/142 in the beginning of the 17th with Shakib appearing more was expected. But wicket was getting slower. Shakib smartly stroked around and produced a brief unbeaten 24 off 15 deliveries. A score of 176/6 was definitely an above par score given the sluggishness of the wicket as the match progresses. Yasir Shah and Mustafiz were again ace bowlers of Dhaka Dynamites. But their impacts on the match was bit reduced from smart shuffling of RR batting order by Shakib.
Chasing 177 to win against a very strong RR bowling was not easy. We do not think that DD has very strong and capable batting line up. Their star Sangakkara is yet to fire in full cylinders. Pakistan team discard Nasir Jamshed looks edgy. Bangladesh star Nasir is not looking in his elements yet. Rest of the batting with some talented youngsters cannot win match against major opposition chasing a high target. On the day defending a good enough score Shakib plotted his plan of attack also very smartly. Three high quality spinners Shakib, Sunny and Senanayake bowled most of the early overs. Bangladeshi left arm national bowling pair bowling in tandem dealt crashing blows. None but Sangakkara appeared to have any clue. When spinners completed their task Perera and Jayed mopped up the late middle order and the tail of DD dynamite was defused as the team could reach only 107 before getting bundled out. Shakib was the peak with 4/16, Perera got 3/25 and Sunny 2/15. RR won handsomely by 69 runs.
Dynamites have genuine problem with the batting. They do not have big names apart from Sangakkara and Nasir. Wicket is getting sluggish progressively. Stroke play on such wickets requires lot of skills. With the present batting trend, Dynamites cannot expect to create major challenge in the tournament.
BDST: 0925 HRS, NOV 26, 2015
SR
