A clinical Dhaka Dynamites outplayed Comilla Victorians to clinch a comprehensive 95-run win yesterday in the first Qualifier at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium to reach a second consecutive Bangladesh Premier League final.
Comilla surrendered helplessly and were bundled for just 96 in chase of a 192-run target.
The Victorians will however get a second chance when they take on Rangpur Riders in the second Qualifier on Sunday.
Skipper Tamim Iqbal was Comilla's only hope, but the left-hander was stumped for 31 after coming down the track against Shahid Afridi. Hasan Ali (18) and Mahedi Hasan (15 not out) were the only other Comilla batsmen to reach double figures.
It was a day for the two T20 specialists to showcase their talents and after Chris Gayle had a go in the first match, Shahid Afridi shone in the second. He scored a 19-ball 30 with four sixes to give Dhaka's innings a late boost, before returning with the ball and claiming three wickets. Shakib Al Hasan and Mosaddek Hossain also chipped in with two wickets each.
Earlier Dhaka rode on a collective approach from the batsman to post a challenging 191 for 7 in their allotted overs after skipper Shakib Al Hasan opted to bat.
In-form West Indian Evin Lewis continued to attack and took 17 runs from off-spinner Mahedi Hasan the over after his partner Mehedi Maruf departed cheaply. Lewis, who was joined by Joe Denly, kept the run-rate close to 10 as Dhaka eyed the 200 mark.
The pair added a quick-fire 69 runs for the second wicket before left-hander Lewis was bowled trying to sweep Shoiab Malik after scoring a team high 47 off 32, which include three sixes and six fours.
Kieron Pollard then joined the party and struck a beautiful straight six off DJ Bravo as Dhaka looked set to launch. The big hitter went on to hit two more sixes against pacer Al Amin before Bravo removed his countryman for an 18-ball 31.
Comilla managed to make inroads after Denly was run out by a direct hit from Marlon Samuels after scoring a 25-ball 32 and Shakib (9) soon followed, being dismissed in soft fashion to give Bravo his second wicket of the game.
Boom Boom' Afridi then took charge and smashed four sixes during his 19-ball cameo before being dismissed by Hasan Ali, who scalped Mosaddek Hossain off the very next ball. Dhaka though, still added 47 runs in the last five overs.
The Victorians will surely be disappointed with their bowling performance as they gave away 21 extras, which certainly took the momentum away from them on the field.
