The third edition of the Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 witnessed its first century, courtesy West Indian batsman Evin Lewis, as Barisal Bulls crushed Dhaka Dynamites by nine wickets at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong yesterday.
The Bulls reached their target with eight balls to spare with Lewis remaining unbeaten on 101 from 65 balls, featuring half a dozen sixes and seven fours after the Dynamites posted 158/5 in 20 overs.
Rony Talukdar and Lewis added a magnificent 127-run stand for the opening wicket before the former was dismissed after scoring 38 off 34 balls with the help of three fours and a six.
Lewis however, continued to reign supreme as he smashed 27 runs off one Ryan ten Doeschate over, studded with three sixes and two fours.
Earlier, Dhaka posted 158/5, riding on a half-century from Kumar Sangakkara and later Ten Doeschate smashed a quick-fire 45 at the end but was unable to avoid their second defeat in five matches.
Dhaka were in a spot of bother, losing a few quick wickets upfront as opener Saykat Ali (15), Lahiru Thirimanne (five), Nasir Hossain (five) and Abul Hasan (eight) were all dismissed cheaply.
But Ten Doeschate and Sangakkara added 59 runs for the fifth wicket and by the time Sangakkara was dismissed after making 60 off 47 balls, Dhaka were in a good position.
Dutchman Doeschate remained unbeaten on 45 off 32 balls as Dhaka managed to score 55 runs in their last five overs.
West Indian pace-bowling all-rounder Kevon Cooper and Lankan leg- spinner Seekkuge Prasanna picked up two wickets each.