Twitter Reactions: Arafat Sunny spins Rajshahi Kings to triumph; Dhaka Dynamites taste maiden defeat

Marshall Ayub also contributed with a 31-ball 45.

Published - 16 Jan 2019, 17:05 IST | Updated - 16 Jan 2019, 17:05 IST

3 Min Read

Yesterday, Rajshahi Kings were unable to chase down a modest target of 129, set by Khulna Titans. However, today, the team, led by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, soared above expectations and defeated table-toppers Dhaka Dynamites at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium by 20 runs. In the meantime, Shakib Al Hasan’s team lost their first match of this season’s Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

Ayub plays a decent knock

The Kings won the toss and elected to bat first, but could only rack up 136 runs in 20 overs. Skipper Mehidy Hasan tasted another defeat at the top of the order and fell prey to speedster Andre Russell. However, Shahriar Nafees and Marshal Ayub, who played his first match in this BPL, churned out a partnership of 75 runs from 53 balls. Sunil Narine nipped out Nafees after the left-hander scored 25.

A couple of balls later, the Windies’ tweaker got rid of Ayub, but not before the batsman got 45 runs from 31 balls with three fours and a couple of sixes. Thereafter, the likes of Ryan ten Doeschate and Zakir Hasan added 16 and 20 runs respectively. Nevertheless, they couldn’t give the Kings’ innings a finishing kick. Narine got three wickets even as Russell, Aliss Islam and Shakib picked up one each.

Dynamites succumb to the pressure

After Dhaka scored 11 runs off Isuru Udana to start their run-chase, Mehidy Hasan trapped Narine to strike first blood. In the very next over, Udana cleaned up Hazratullah Zazai. Arafat Sunny accounted for the wicket of Russell, who notched 11 from eight balls. The spinner also removed captain Shakib Al Hasan cheaply. Sunny got rid of Rony Talukdar and reduced the Dynamites to 53/5 in 10.3 overs.

Kieron Pollard and Naim Sheikh perished in a bid to up the ante after scoring 13 and 17 respectively. In the last five overs, Dhaka required 55 runs and they couldn’t keep up with the required rate. Nurul Hasan flung the willow to score 21 from 14 balls with two fours and a six. Unfortunately, his efforts went in vain. Sunny was the pick of the Kings’ bowlers with three wickets. Mehidy also picked up a couple.

Here is how Twitter reacted

Dhaka lost the match 😥😥😥#DDvRK #BPLT20 #BPL2019
— Zoha Mahmud (@Z_Mahmud1) January 16, 2019

Pollard finally returns with bog roll trailing out the back of his trousers like an oversized Andrex puppy… #BPL #BPLT20
— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) January 16, 2019

Pollard rushes off, finds all the traps full and takes 10 minutes to return to the pitch… #BPL #BPLT20
— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) January 16, 2019

Rare to have three T20 franchise games happening in different parts of the world at once. The IPL would have a fit if anyone tried that on their watch. #BBL08 #BKSuperSmash #BPLT20
— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) January 16, 2019

I tell you Rajshahi has the BEST bowling lineup in this tournament. BEST. Hope to see them in the play offs. #DDvRK #BPL2019
— JITBE DHAKA DEKHBE DESH (@Nafiu_Shakibian) January 16, 2019

Good to see Naim & Sohan giving more than the ‘superstar’ players of DD. Really happy to see Sohan’s fight till the end. Coz intent is what really matters at the end of the day#DDvRK #BPL2019
— JITBE DHAKA DEKHBE DESH (@Nafiu_Shakibian) January 16, 2019

Just wanna give a shoutout to @Rileerr for his current form in #BPL2019 for @ridersofhope . Scoring 230 runs in 5 games at an insane average of 115 and striking at 124. Good luck for the remaining games!
— Gaskoon (@Gaskonader) January 16, 2019