Captain Miraz leads Khulna to BPL playoffs

Dhaka, 1 Feb - Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz led from the front with a sterling allround performance to help the side secure a facile six-wicket win over Dhaka Capitals, a victory that confirmed their Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) playoffs as the fourth and last team today.

Miraz struck an unbeaten 74 off 55 with five fours and four sixes as Khulna reached 128-4, overhauling Dhaka's 123-9 in 16.5 overs. Beforehand he picked up one wicket for 30 runs to play an important role in holding Dhaka back to a meager total at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Khulna finally ended the group phase with 12 points, the same number of points that Durbar Rajshahi earned but based on net run rate, Miraz-led side confirmed the playoffs as the fourth team. They, however, are confirmed to play the Eliminator game.

Mustafizur Rahman who ended with 3-16 in four overs, jolted Khulna with two 
wickets that included the inform Naim Sheikh and Afif Hossain and left them 
at precarious 14-2.

Miraz played with caution and aggression to steady the side and shared 68-run 
with Alex Ross, a partnership that kept their nose ahead.

Rahmat Ali broke through with the wicket of Ross who made 19 and later 
Mustafizur Rahman dismissed William Bosisto for 18 but Miraz serenely drove 
the side to the victory. 

Earlier, opener Taznid Hasan Tamim smashed a valiant 37 ball-58, which 
included one four and seven sixes but despite his effort, his side Dhaka 
Capitals failed to put up any significant total on the board.

Dhaka came into the game, already being eliminated from playoff race. They, 
ended this BPL with three wins from 12 matches and placed at sixth position 
amongst seven teams.

Apart from Tanzid, no Dhaka batters could put up any resistance with Sabbir 
Rahman making the next-best 20. Mehehdi Hasan Rana with 13 and Liton Das with 
10 were the only two other batters to reach double digits.

Pacer Hasan Mahmud did the most of the damage to Dhaka with an exceptional 
bowling figure that read 4-1-5-2. William Bosisto also took two wickets for 
just 10 runs in four overs. BSS