Khulna Tigers snapped its five-match losing streak in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) after beating Durdanto Dhaka by five wickets at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram Friday.
On a wicket where every team enjoyed batting, Dhaka found it tough to get going after electing to bat first as they were able to put up just 128-7 in their 20-over allocation.
As it was expected, Khulna hunted down the target with ease with 28 balls to spare, handing Dhaka 10th straight defeat in the tournament.
The victory however brought Khulna back to top four with 10 points, pushing Chattogram Challengers to fifth spot by better run rate.
Afif Hossain led the charge with 21 ball-43 not out, hitting two four and four sixes as Khulna made 131-5 for their fifth victory. But the initial impetus was provided by Parvez Hossain Emon, who also struck two fours and four sixes for his 40 off 30.
Dhaka pacer Shoriful Islam continued his good work, giving captain Anamul Haque Bijoy a first ball-duck and then claimed the wicket of Evin Lewis for 4 in his next over, reducing Khulna to 17-2 in third over.
Emon brought the back side to the contest with counterattack while Shai Hope gave the stability, that the side needed after the horrible start, with 32 off 28.
None of them could finish the game despite being on song but that mattered little with Afif signing off the game impeccably.
Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed grabbed two wickets apiece for Dhaka.
As has been the case, Dhaka’s downfall was scripted by their batters again as they failed to convert the start. Captain Mosaddek Hossain Saikat who came to bat as No.7 batter was the top-scorer with 23 ball26.
Both Alex Ross and Irfan Shukkur made 25 runs but couldn’t make the start count when it mattered most.
Khulna’s South African recruit Wayne Parnell (3-19) and fast bowler Mukidul Islam Mugdho (3-18) wrecked havoc on Dhaka, sharing six wickets between them.
