Twitter Reactions: Rubel and Russell knock defending champions Rangpur Riders out of the tournament

Dhaka Dynamites strained in the second half of the round-robin phase, but now they have won three matches in a row. Their latest victory came against Rangpur Riders by five wickets in the Qualifier 2 of this BPL. Most importantly, they set up a final clash against Comilla Victorians at the Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. Meanwhile, defending champions Riders’ are knocked out of the event.

Riders huff and puff

After the Dynamites decided to bowl first after winning the toss, they restricted the Riders to 142 in 19.4 overs. Nadif Chowdhury gave them a blistering start with a 12-ball 27 that included three consecutive sixes off Shuvagata Hom. However, the bowler got rid of Nadif in the same over. In the very next over, Rubel Hossain pinned Chris Gayle and Rilee Russouw in consecutive balls and reduced the Riders to 42/3.

Mohammad Mithun and Ravi Bopara took charge thereafter and put on 64 for the fourth wicket. Left-arm pacer Qazi Onik nipped out Mithun after the batter notched 38 runs from 27 deliveries with a couple of fours and sixes each. Bopara ended on 49 from 43 balls even as the Riders couldn’t play out the 20 overs. Rubel was their standout bowler with four wickets. Onik also was impressive with a couple.

Russell finishes it off

The run-chase started on a rusty note for the Dynamites as Upul Tharanga fell prey to Mashrafe Mortaza in the first over. Sunil Narine blazed away with three fours and he became Nazmul Islam Apu’s maiden victim. Thereafter, Rony Talukdar ad skipper Shakib Al Hasan took charge and cobbled together a priceless 34 runs from 29 balls. Benny Howell castled Shakib to separate the ominous-looking stand.

Shakib scored 23 with two fours and a six. Kieron Pollard perished after scoring 14. The Dynamites’ were jolted with the body blow when Rony Talukdar succumbed to a run-out with partner Nurul Hasan. Talukdar looked good with 35 from 24 with four boundaries. The hulk-like Andre Russell smacked three sixes off Nazmul Islam, scored 40 from 19 and took his team over the line with 20 deliveries to spare.

Here is how Twitter heaped praises on the Dynamites