Relentless Rangpur Riders crush Dhaka Capitals for fifth consecutive win

Rangpur Riders continued their dominant form in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) with a thumping seven-wicket victory over Dhaka Capitals at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on 7 January.

This marked Rangpur's fifth consecutive win, solidifying their place at the top of the table with 10 points.

In contrast, Dhaka's fourth successive defeat has left them at the bottom of the standings, with their hopes of reaching the knockout stage fading fast.

Rangpur's relentless march through the tournament began with a win in their opening game, and they have since added victory after victory. Facing a struggling Dhaka Capitals side, who posted a paltry total, the result seemed inevitable by the end of Dhaka's innings.

Rangpur comfortably chased down the target with 40 balls to spare, asserting their claim as title favourites.

After losing the toss, Dhaka Capitals were put in to bat first and never found their footing against Rangpur's disciplined bowling attack. The trio of Nahid Rana, Akif Javed, and Khushdil Shah wreaked havoc, as Dhaka's batsmen fell in quick succession. The Capitals were bowled out for just 111 runs in 16.3 overs, the lowest team total of this year's BPL.

Nahid Rana led the charge with figures of 3 for 21 in his four overs, while Akif Javed and Khushdil Shah each picked up two wickets. Sheikh Mehedi Hasan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Kamrul Islam Rabbi chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Despite making six changes to their playing XI, including bringing in England's Jason Roy just a day after his arrival in Bangladesh, Dhaka's lineup faltered. Roy opened the innings alongside Habibur Rahman Sohan, replacing Tanzid Hasan Tamim, but the partnership ended at just 28 runs.

Habibur scored 14 off 12 balls with two boundaries before being dismissed, while Roy managed 18 off 12, hitting two fours and a six before falling to Sheikh Mehedi Hasan. Tanzid showed some resistance, scoring 20 off 16 balls with three fours and a six, but his dismissal marked the beginning of a rapid collapse.

Sabbir Rahman, captain Thisara Perera, and Liton Das followed in quick succession, leaving Dhaka in dire straits. Sabbir, playing his first game of the tournament, managed just 2 runs off 7 balls. Perera, who scored a century in the previous match, was dismissed for a golden duck. Liton's poor form continued as he scored 9 off 13 balls.

Late contributions from Mosaddek Hossain (12 off 9) and Alauddin Babu (16 off 16) provided some respectability to the total, but it was far from enough.

Chasing a modest target, Rangpur Riders had a shaky start when opener Azizul Hakim Tamim was dismissed for 5 off 14 balls. Tamim, who had failed to score in his previous two matches, struggled once again.

However, Alex Hales steadied the innings with a quick-fire 44 off 27 balls, hitting four fours and three sixes. His attacking approach ensured Rangpur stayed ahead of the required rate despite losing wickets. Hales was eventually dismissed, but Khushdil Shah and Iftikhar Ahmed ensured there were no further hiccups.

Khushdil smashed an unbeaten 27 off just 13 balls, laced with four boundaries and a six, while Iftikhar remained not out on 9 off 12. Rangpur reached the target in 13.2 overs, sealing a comprehensive win.

Dhaka's bowlers had little to celebrate, with Mustafizur Rahman, Alauddin Babu, and Mosaddek Hossain picking up one wicket each.