Dhaka solidify pole position with 19-run win

Dhaka Dynamites maintained their position at the top of the Bangladesh Premier League table by defeating Chittagong Vikings by 19 runs in the 14th match of the league at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium, Chittagong today.

A three-wicket haul from Dhaka pacer Mohammad Shahid tore through the Chittagong lower-middle order as Tamim Iqbal's side could only post 129 for eight in chase of Dhaka's 148 for nine after being asked to bat first. 

Chittagong started slowly but solidly enough with Tamim's 35-ball 26 at the top of the order taking them to 66 for two after 12 overs for the loss of Jahurul Islam and Anamul Haque. A late charge was required but Tamim's dismissal to Dwayne Bravo dampened those hopes. Mahmudul Hasan's wicket in the 15th over put Dhaka truly in the ascendancy with Chittagong at 84 for four. Then the three-wicket burst from Shahid over eight balls spread out over the 16th and 18th overs pretty much put an end to any hopes. He dismissed Mohammad Nabi caught behind, had Grant Elliott caught at long off before coming back in the 18th to have Nazmul Hossain Milon edging behind. 

The three wickets left Chittagong at 112 for seven after 17.4 overs, and thereafter they just concentrated on playing out the 20 overs. 

Earlier, Chittagong Vikings’ foreign recruits Mohammad Nabi and Tymal Mills took three wickets each to keep table toppers Dhaka Dynamites down to 148 for 9 after 20 overs.

 Chittagong captain Tamim Iqbal won the toss and invited Dhaka to bat first. Dhaka got off to a flying start as Mehedi Maruf took full advantage of some loose balls from Vikings bowlers. After Nasir Hossain was sent back in the tenth over, Dhaka lost wickets at regular intervals as Mills and Nabi took six wickets between them. Mosaddek Hossain looked good in his cameo of 35 before he was dismissed by Mills.

Mohammad Nabi bowled three overs, gave away only 18 runs for his three wickets. Mills completed his quota of four overs, took three for 25.