Rangpur Riders continued their impressive form in the Bangladesh Premier League, defeating Dhaka Capitals by seven wickets on Tuesday to secure their fifth consecutive victory.
The win showcased Rangpur's dominance in all departments, as they comfortably chased down a modest target of 112 with 40 balls to spare.
Rangpur's bowlers were exceptional, restricting Dhaka to a mere 111 runs. Nahid Rana spearheaded the attack with figures of 3/31, while Khushdil Shah and Aaqib Javed claimed two wickets each. Sheikh Mahedi, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Kamrul Islam Rabbi contributed with one wicket apiece.
Dhaka's batting lineup struggled to build momentum, with their top order failing to convert starts into meaningful scores. Tanzid Tamim top-scored with a brisk 20 off 16 balls, but his dismissal triggered a collapse. The middle order offered little resistance, and a late cameo of 16 from Alauddin Babu wasn’t enough to rescue the innings, as Dhaka were bowled out in 18.3 overs.
In response, Rangpur's chase began shakily with Azizul Hakim Tamim departing for 5 runs. However, Alex Hales steadied the ship with a blistering 44 off 27 balls, including four fours and three sixes. Although Hales missed his half-century, his aggressive knock set the tone for the chase.
Following Hales' dismissal, Saif Hassan fell for 13, but Khushdil Shah and Iftikhar Ahmed ensured there were no further setbacks. Khushdil remained unbeaten on 27, while Iftikhar contributed 9 not out, guiding Rangpur to a comfortable win.
The victory cements Rangpur’s position as a top contender in the tournament, while Dhaka Capitals continue to struggle, suffering their second loss to Rangpur this season. Dhaka’s inconsistent batting and inability to capitalize on key moments remain major concerns as they seek to turn their fortunes around.
