Gayle’s 146 powers Rangpur Riders to clinch BPL title

MIRPUR (92 News) – Rangpur Riders clinched the AKS Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2017 title with a 57-run victory over Dhaka Dynamites at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Dhaka Dynamites opted to bowl first after winning the toss. Skipper Shakib Al Hasan gave the early breakthrough to Dhaka by dismissing in-form Johnson Charles on 3. Then it was another Chris Gayle show. Gayle hammered over the Dhaka Dynamites bowlers and remained not out on 146 off just 65 balls, including 5 fours and 18 sixes. Gayle and Brendon McCullum made an unbeaten partnership of 201 in the 2nd wicket stand and helped Rangpur to post a big total of 206 for one after 20 overs. McCullum was not out on 51. Shakib took the only wicket for 26 runs. In reply, Dhaka Dynamites had a nightmare start as they lost two wickets for just one run on the board. Dhaka were in all sorts of trouble after losing four wickets for 29. Shakib tried to put some fight back but got out after scoring a quick-fire 26. Dhaka’s Jahurul Islam fifty was not enough to chase the target down as they kept losing wickets in regular intervals. Dhaka managed to score 149 for 9 in 20 overs and lost by 59 runs. Isuru Udana, Nazmul Islam and Sohag Gazi shared two wickets each. Chris Gayle was named Man of the Match for his match-winning century.