Dhaka Capitals keep qualification hopes alive with 6-run win in thriller against Sylhet Strikers

The Dhaka Capitals claimed their second victory in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) with a narrow six-run triumph over the Sylhet Strikers at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.

Litton Das and Thisara Perera's batting heroics propelled Dhaka to a competitive total of 196 for six, which proved just out of reach for Sylhet.

Sylhet's chase got off to a poor start as they lost George Munsey and Zakir Hasan cheaply. However, Rony Talukdar and Aaron Jones revived their innings with an 80-run partnership. Rony's impressive 68 off 44 balls kept the Strikers in the contest, but once both set batters were dismissed, Sylhet needed a standout performance to remain in the game.

With 65 runs required from the final four overs, Jaker Ali and Ariful Haque mounted a spirited effort. Jaker scored 28 off 13 balls, while Ariful contributed 29 from the same number of deliveries, bringing Sylhet tantalisingly close. Reflecting on the match, Sylhet player Samiullah Shinwari said, "Yes, it's upsetting to come so close and lose. We gave away 15-20 extra runs, which made a big difference. However, we still have four matches left, and we believe we can perform well in those games."

The final over, bowled by Mustafizur Rahman, began with 23 runs needed. Twelve runs came off the first three balls, but a critical turning point occurred when Mustafizur dismissed Ariful with a near waist-high full toss. Ariful was caught and bowled, leaving Sylhet in a precarious position. Samiullah Shinwari was then run out, leaving 11 runs required from two deliveries. Ruyel Miah managed a boundary off the penultimate ball, but it wasn't enough, as Dhaka sealed a thrilling six-run victory.

Earlier, Dhaka Capitals had set the tone for the match with Litton Das anchoring the innings. His 70, complemented by a fiery cameo of 37 from skipper Thisara Perera, pushed Dhaka to their formidable total. Litton formed a vital 42-run partnership with Sabbir Rahman (24), although the scoring rate slowed leading up to the death overs.

At the end of the 14th over, Dhaka were 101 for three, but the innings accelerated dramatically. Litton and Thisara added 81 runs in just 28 balls. Thisara contributed 31 off 15, while Litton scored 30 off 13 in that stand. Notably, Sylhet's bowlers conceded 20 extras during this phase, a factor that ultimately influenced the match's outcome. "As a bowling unit, we must avoid conceding extras. These can be costly, and we must minimise them. However, mistakes happen – we're not robots," said Dhaka captain Thisara Perera. He added, "Mustafiz is the leader of our bowling attack, and I trusted him with the final over. He delivered when it mattered most."

The Dhaka skipper also praised Litton Das for his innings. "Good players always come back strongly. That's why Litton Das has returned to form. As a batter, you only have one chance, and he made it count today. I told him to hang around and wait for the right deliveries to hit."

From the Sylhet camp, Samiullah Shinwari was full of praise for Jaker Ali, whose late cameo nearly swung the match in their favour. "Jaker is an excellent player. He knows the situation well and how to handle pressure. Performances like his are not only great for us but also for Bangladesh cricket." Despite the loss, Shinwari remained optimistic, saying, "The team, both local and international players, feels like a family. Payments are not a concern – we are happy with the management and fully committed to giving our best in the upcoming matches."

With this victory, Dhaka Capitals have revived their hopes of progressing in the tournament, while Sylhet Strikers will look to bounce back in their remaining fixtures.