Dhaka overcome Rangpur to make BPL final

Shakib Al Hasan's Dhaka Dynamites overcame Rangpur Riders in the second qualifier to make it through to the Bangladesh Premier League final with a five-wicket victory at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

The target of 142 was always going to be hard to defend but Rangpur bowlers did put up a fight. Mashrafe Bin Mortaza struck early with Upul Tharanga's wicket before poor shot selection and confusion saw Shakib (23) and Rony Talukdar (35 off 24) dismissed at a crucial stage of the chase. Mashrafe came back to remove the dangerous Kieron Pollard, but Andre Russell ensured there were no further hiccups with a 19-ball 40, which included five sixes, to see his side home with 20 deliveries to spare.

Earlier, Dhaka pacer Rubel Hossain bagged four wickets to help bowl Rangpur out for 142 runs in 19.4 overs. The pacer, who played for Mashrafe's side in the previous edition, removed the dangerous Chris Gayle during the Powerplay when the left-hander was looking to break loose. He then wrested the initiative for his side, picking up the crucial wicket of Rilee Rossouw -- the highest run-scorer of the edition. The quick strikes left Rangpur in a difficult situation but they fought back with Mohammad Mithun and Rovi Bopara's 64-run fourth-wicket stand revived the innings.

Mithun accelerated with back-to-back sixes off Shakib in the 12th over but Dhaka bowlers responded with young Qazi Onik picking up the wicket of Mithun after a 27-ball 38. Benny Howell perished to Shakib next over before Onik got Mashrafe out for naught. Rubel struck again in his third over with the scalp of Nahidul Islam.

It looked like the score will not get past the 130 mark but Bopara picked up a six and two fours off the final over off Rubel. He fell in the fourth delivery of the final over, holed out at deep square-leg after a team-high 43-ball 49, to give Rubel his fourth wicket of the day as Rangpur were bowled out for 142.

Dhaka, who were defeated in last year's final by Rangpur will now play the final against Comilla Victorians.

Brief Scores:

Rangpur Riders: 142  all out (Mithun 38, Bopara 49, Rubel 4/23, Onik 2/21, Russell 2/31, Shakib  1/29)

Dhaka Dynamites: 147/5 (Russell 40*, Rony 35, Mashrafe 2/32)