Rangpur confirm BPL playoffs as final team

Contrasting half-centuries from openers Dawid Malan and Towhid Hridoy powered Rangpur Riders to an 11-run victory over Dhaka Capitals at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday, confirming their place in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) playoffs as the final qualifying team.

Despite the win, Rangpur are set to play the Eliminator against Sylhet Titans, with Rajshahi Warriors and Chattogram Royals having already secured the top two spots on the points table.

Former England opener Malan starred with a fluent 78 off 49 balls, an innings laced with eight fours and four sixes.
Hridoy, in contrast, went through a scratchy knock. He survived three chances and struggled for timing for much of his stay but still managed a crucial 62 off 46 balls, hitting five fours and four sixes.

Together, they added a record 126 runs for the opening wicket, Rangpur's highest opening partnership in BPL history, surpassing the previous best of 124 set by Soumya Sarkar and Steven Taylor.

The stand laid the platform for Rangpur to post a competitive 181-4. Rangpur then leaned on their bowlers, led by a venomous spell from fast bowler Nahid Rana, who returned outstanding figures of 3-11.

Nahid dismantled Dhaka's middle order, dismissing Saif Hassan and Sabbir Rahman in his first spell before coming back to remove skipper Mohammad Mithun for 25, leaving Dhaka reeling at 99 for 6 in the 14th over.

Although Mohammad Saifuddin mounted a late counterattack with an unbeaten 58 off 30 balls, support from the other end was minimal and his effort ultimately proved in vain as Dhaka were restricted to 170-7.

Earlier, Fahim Ashraf also played his part for Rangpur by claiming 2-43 to check Dhaka's top order.

Saifuddin contributed with the ball as well, taking 2-33 to prevent Rangpur from pushing past the 200-run mark despite their strong start.

Kyle Mayers was the only other Rangpur batter to make a notable contribution, scoring 24 off 16 balls, while the rest of the lineup failed to reach double figures.