Minister Group Dhaka beat Khulna Tigers by five wickets, keeping their Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) playoff hopes alive on Wednesday.
Electing to bat first, Khulna were folded for 129-8 at Sylhet Cricket Stadium. Dhaka overcame an initial hiccup to race to the victory in 19.2 overs, making 131-5.
Dhaka now have 9 points from 9 matches and Khulna collected 8 from 8 matches. Both sides have the hope of making the playoffs. But if Khulna would have won the match, they could have made it to the playoffs, eliminating Dhaka from the race.
Arafat Sunny and Afghanistan recruit Azmatullah Omarzai claimed two wickets apiece in an economical bowling effort. Rubel Hossain, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Qais Ahmed grabbed one wicket each.
Sikandar Raza was the only one to fight against a relentless Dhaka bowling to hit 64 off 50 with five fours and four sixes.
While chasing, Dhaka lost two batters, including Tamim Iqbal for 12 runs as left-arm spinner Nabil Samad and fast bowler Khaled Ahmed made inroads. Jahurul Islam Omi and Mahmudullah Riyad brought the side back in contention with a 57-run partnership for the third wicket stand.
Shuvagata Hom and Omarzai shattered their hopes to produce any miracle, sailing Dhaka home with the former striking consecutive sixes to sign off the game in style. Home finally was not out on 18 off 9 and Omarzai was on 10.
ARR
