BPL 2019-20: Match 19, Review- Tamim Iqbal and Mahedi Hasan tighten Dhaka Platoon’s grip in the top four

Following their defeat at the hands of Chattogram Challengers, the Dhaka Platoon have made an impressive comeback in the BPL 2019-20. In their last match at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, Mashrafe Mortaza and Co defeated Sylhet Thunder by eight wickets and moved to the second spot. On the other hand, Sylhet kept languishing in the second half of the table.

Charles takes charge for Thunder

After the Platoon elected to field, their bowling did a reasonable job, restricting the Thunder to 174 in their 20 overs. The Thunder made a poor start as Andre Fletcher fell for a golden duck of Mahedi Hasan. A 51-run partnership off 38 deliveries between Abdul Mazid and Johnson Charles built some momentum for Sylhet. Shahid Afridi got rid of Mazid for eight o separate the ominous-looking duo.

Charles got to his fifty off 32 balls and went on to score 73 off 45 with three fours and eight sixes. Shadab Khan got rid of him to give the Platoon some breathing space. Mosaddek Hossain could manage only a couple before becoming Afridi’s second victim. From there, Mohammad Mithun (49*) and Sherfane Rutherford (38) put on 65 off 45 balls and took the Thunder to a competitive score.

Tamim and Mahedi shepherd Platoon

The Platoon got off to a steady start courtesy of 58-run stand for the opening wicket between Anamul Haque (32) and Tamim Iqbal (60*). Mosaddek got rid of Anamul to strike first blood in the eighth over. However, Mahedi Hasan came out firing on all cylinders yet another time to make the game a one-sided affair. The youngster scored 56 off 28 with five scorching fours and three sixes.

Mahedi and Tamim added 87 runs for the second wicket. Meanwhile, Tamim became the first man in the history of the BPL to cross the 2,000-run barrier and he accomplished it in his 62nd innings. In the 16th over, Ebadot Hossain pinned Mahedi, but by then the Platoon were already in the driver’s seat. Jaker Ali played a cameo of 22 off 11 and helped the Platoon chase the target with nine left.

Brief Scores

Sylhet Thunder: – 174/4 in 20 overs (Johnson Charles 73, Mohammad Mithun 49*; Shahid Afridi 2/26)

Dhaka Platoon: – 175/2 in 18.3 overs (Tamim Iqbal 60*, Mahedi Hasan 56; Ebadot Hossain 1/24)

Dhaka Platoon win by eight wickets.