Hom’s consecutive sixes in final over helps Dhaka beat Khulna

All-rounder Shuvagata Hom struck two consecutive sixes in the final over to help Minister Group Dhaka beat Khulna Tigers by five wickets in a low-scoring Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) contest at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today. 

Chasing a modest 129 for eight posted by Khulna, the equation came down to 11 needed off the final over. However, Hom struck Thisara Perera for two consecutive sixes in the first two deliveries of the over to ease the nerves and propel Dhaka to victory with four balls to spare. 

Hom remained unbeaten for a 9-ball 18-run cameo.

However, coming in to chase a modest total, Dhaka lost in-form Tamim Iqbal and Imran Uzzaman early and were at a spot of bother at 12 for two after 3.2 overs. Skipper Mahmudullah Riyad and Jahurul Islam then consolidated through a steady 57-run third-wicket stand that kept Dhaka's hopes alive. 

After Jahurul (30 off 35) was dismissed by Ruyel Miah in the 13th over, Mahmudullah went on to stitch another crucial 32-run stand with Shamsur Rahman before the skipper departed in the 16th over following a steady 34-run knock. 

With runs required to be scored at a brisk pace, Shamsur then played a 14-ball 25-run cameo, laced with a solitary boundary and two maximums, to help Dhaka stay on course for a victory before Hom finished the game in style.

Earlier, Khulna suffered a batting collapse after electing to bat. All the top four batters of the side returned for a single-digit score, leaving Khulna reeling at four for 12 after just 3.3 overs. 

However, Sikandar Raza came through for Khulna as the right-hander smashed a 50-ball 64 and stitched crucial stands with Mahedi Hasan (26-run stand), Thisara Perera (39-run stand) and Ruyel Miyah (32-run stand) to help Khulna get to a modest total.