Dhaka win after Perera, Tamim heroics

Tamim Iqbal finally returned to the groove with a fifty that, coupled with Thisara Perera’s all-round performance, helped Dhaka Platoon register their first win of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League as they beat Cumilla Warriors by 20 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

Chasing a challenging target of 181, Dawid Malan kept hopes alive until the left-hander fell for a fighting 40 in the 18th over as Cumilla eventually ended the chase on 160 for nine in 20 overs.

After scoring a quickfire unbeaten 17-ball 42, Perera was also instrumental with the ball and bagged five wickets for 30 runs from his four overs to help Dhaka complete an assured performance after losing their opening game of the tournament to Rajshahi Royals the previous day.

With this five-wicket haul Perera became the only bowler to pick two five-wicket hauls in the history of the BPL.

Cumilla, however, made a confident start and at one stage were 86 for two when Soumya Sarkar and Malan added 50 for the third wicket.

But Soumya was caught behind off Wahab Riaz after scoring 35 off 26 balls. Wahab also removed Malan and then it was Perera who rattled through Cumilla’s lower middle order. Mahidul Islam was the second highest scorer for Cumilla with 37 runs but it was never enough to chase the big target.

Earlier, Dhaka were sent in to bat and struggled initially after losing Anamul Haque (0) and Mahedi Hasan (12) early before Tamim held the fort from one end and registered his fifty.

After a slow start, Tamim accelerated well and departed in the last ball of the 17th over, scoring 74 off 53 balls with the help of four sixes and six fours. But it was Perera who provided the momentum in the latter part of the innings, striking one six and four consecutive boundaries to take 23 runs off Abu Hider’s 16th over of the innings, making sure Cumilla posted what turned out to be a winning total.

In the day’s first game, Rajshahi Royals registered their second win of the tournament by beating Sylhet Thunders comprehensively by eight wickets. Sylhet, who also lost their first game against Chattogram Challengers, remained below par and were bundled out for just 91 runs, which Rajshahi with 9.1 overs remaining, riding on an unbeaten 44 from Liton Das.