Mohammad Mithun’s unbeaten half-century was not enough to take Dhaka Capitals home as Rangpur Riders held their nerve to secure a five-run win in a tight finish.
Dhaka needed 10 runs from the final over with Mithun and Sabbir Rahman at the crease. Mustafizur Rahman conceded just three runs from the first five deliveries. With seven required off the last ball, Sabbir could manage only two as Rangpur closed out the contest.
Chasing 156, Dhaka made a brisk start and raced to 53 without loss in the powerplay. Rahmanullah Gurbaz provided early momentum before falling in the seventh over, dismissed by Kyle Mayers for 31 off 22 balls.
Abdullah Al Mamun followed soon after in the eighth over, scoring 20 from 18 deliveries before being removed by Khushdil Shah. Dhaka were 58 for two at that point and reached the 100-run mark in 13.2 overs. Mithun and Saif Hassan then stabilised the chase, adding 53 runs before Aliss Al Islam broke the partnership.
Mithun brought up his half-century from 32 balls and finished unbeaten on 56 from 38 deliveries. The chase lost momentum after Shamim Patwari was dismissed for 11 off 10 balls. Sabbir stayed to the end, scoring 12 from eight balls, but the required rate proved too steep.
Earlier, Rangpur endured a shaky start after being sent in, losing three wickets inside the powerplay to slump to 31 for three after six overs. Mahmudullah Riyad and David Malan led the recovery, taking the side to 50 in 10.1 overs.
Rangpur crossed 100 in the 14.1 over before Malan was dismissed for 33 off 33 balls, caught while attempting to clear long-on off Imad Wasim. Mahmudullah continued to anchor the innings alongside Khushdil Shah and brought up his half-century from 40 balls, his 15th in the BPL.
Mahmudullah was dismissed soon after for 51 off 41 deliveries by Taskin Ahmed, with Rangpur at 128. Khushdil then provided the late impetus, striking a four and a six in the final over to lift the total to 155. He remained unbeaten on 38 from 21 balls.
