Yasir Ali Rabbi’s unbeaten half-century guided Chattogram to a five-wicket victory over Dhaka in their National Cricket League match, strengthening their position at the top of the points table. Chattogram now have five wins from seven matches, while Dhaka sit third with three victories from the same number of games.
After losing the toss, Dhaka were sent in to bat and scored 119 for six in their allotted 20 overs. The openers added 39 runs before Ashraful Hasan was bowled by Jisan Ahmed for 21 off 7 balls. Fellow opener Ashiqur Rahman Shibli followed soon after, bowled by Hasan Murad for 16 off 8.
With the score at 45 for two, Dhaka began to lose wickets at regular intervals. One ball after Shibli’s dismissal, Mahfuzur Rabbi was caught at backward square leg for six off five deliveries.
Mosaddek Hossain Saikat remained unbeaten on 32 from 27 balls and helped guide the innings through the later stages. Ariful Islam made 23 from 13 before being caught at long off off the bowling of Nayeem Hasan.
Hasan Murad starred with the ball for Chattogram, finishing with figures of three for 21. Ashraful, Ahmed Sharif and Nayeem Hasan claimed one wicket each.
Chattogram’s chase began steadily but stumbled to 36 for four. They lost their first wicket at 30 before a dramatic fourth over from Mahfuzur Rabbi removed both Mominul Haque and Mahmudul Hasan Joy. Mominul was caught at third man for 12 from 7 balls, while Joy was dismissed caught and bowled for 18 off 15.
In the next over, Shahadat Hossain Dipu fell for a duck, caught at deep midwicket off Ripon Mondol. Soon after, Sadikur also departed.
Yasir Ali Rabbi then joined Irfan Sukkur to stabilise the innings. The pair added 62 runs for the sixth wicket. Irfan scored a brisk 30 off 15 balls before being bowled, while Rabbi saw the team home with an unbeaten 53 off 27 deliveries, including four fours and three sixes.
Chattogram reached their target in 12.2 overs. Mahfuzur Rabbi was the pick of the bowlers for Dhaka, taking three wickets for just 11 runs.
