Chittagong Vikings finally ended their home curse in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League when they edged Dhaka Dynamites by 11 runs to make it to the play-off at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Wednesday.
The home side survived late blitz from Andre Russell and Sakib al Hasan to restrict Dhaka to 163-9 in 20 overs after Cameron Delport’s 71 off 57 balls and Mushfiqur Rahim’s 43 off 24 balls powered the side to 174-5.
Russell claimed a hat-trick in the final over of Chittagong innings before making 39 off 23 balls while Sakib added 53 off 42 but the home side somehow kept their nerves to inflict the fourth consecutive defeat on Dhaka.
The result means Chittagong, who got their first win at home after three consecutive losses, joined Rangpur Riders and Comilla Victorians in the play-off while Dhaka were left battling for the final slot.
Chittagong had South African recruit Delport to thank for anchoring the innings as he was involved in three meaningful partnerships that gave them a fighting score despite Russell’s late hat-trick, the third in the ongoing BPL.
Russell bowled a sensational last over picking up the wickets of Mushfiq, Delport and Dasun Shanaka (0) to claim his third Twenty20 hat-tricks after he achieved the feat with West Indies A and Jamaica Tallawahs.
Opting to bat first, Chittagong got off to flying start thanks to Delport and Mohammad Shahzad, who made 42 runs in the opening stand before Sunil Narine dismissed the latter for 21.
Delport, who was struggling with his form in the ongoing tournament, then added 46 runs with in-form Yasir Ali for the second wicket before Yasir (19) became the second victim of Narine.
Mushfiq swept the first-ball he faced reverse and played few other improvised shots to put Chittagong on course to a big total but Russell’s eventful final over threatened to restrict them with mediocrity.
Sikandar Raza hit the last ball of the innings for a six to take them past 170-run mark and the bowlers carried the momentum, reducing Dhaka to 23-3 in quick time.
Sakib and wicketkeeper-batsman Nurul Hasan put 50-run for the fourth wicket to stem the rot before man-of-the-match Delport trapped Nurul in front for 33 off 23.
Kieron Pollard was run out in the next ball but Russell and Sakib helped Dhaka claw their way back into the contest.
Delport thought he had the match in the bag when Russell was caught off his bowling on 22, but replay suggested that the bowler had overstepped, giving the West Indian a lucky reprieve.
Russell finally was caught by Delport off Shanaka, leaving the onus entirely on Sakib, who nevertheless could not finish the game off despite hitting his second fifty of the season.
