Despite a century from captain Thisara Perera, Dhaka Capitals suffered their third straight defeat in the Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 2024-25 season, going down by 20 runs against Khulna Tigers at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur Friday.
Sri Lankan recruit Thisara, who hit his first T20 century after playing 376 matches, scored 103 runs alone in Dhaka’s 153/6 after Khulna posted 173/8.
Khulna in fact virtually ended the game when they left Dhaka at a precarious 41/6 in 9.3 overs.
Skipper Mehedi Hasan Miraz wreaked havoc by claiming 3/6 in four overs.
Thisara, who raised his century in the last ball of the innings, only reduced the margin of defeat.
He eventually stroked 60-ball 103 with nine fours and seven sixes.
Thisara though survived twice when William Bosisto failed to hold onto his catch on 69 and 85.
Chaturanga de Silva made just 11 off 20 in the unbroken 112-run partnership with Thisara for the seventh wicket.
Earlier, Mahidul Islam Ankon’s late onslaught was key in taking Khulna closer to 180 which looked unlikely initially.
Thanks to his 22-ball-32, complemented by Ziaur Rahman’s 15-ball 22 and Abu Haider Rony’s unbeaten eight-ball 21, Khulna got a total to defend.
The trio were key in helping the side amass 66 runs in the last five overs.
After being asked to bat first, Khulna openers Mohammad Naim and Bosisto put on 49 runs before Chaturanga broke through with the wicket of the former.
Naim made 30 off 17 with the help of seven boundaries.
Chaturanga also claimed the wicket Bosisto (26).
From 49 without loss, Khulna had limped to 93/6.
Ankon, trying to cement his place as a finisher, then took the onus upon himself to drive the side and successfully executed his plan to help them recover from the collapse.
Abu Jayed Rahi got the better of him before he did more damage.
But Rony finished it well for Khulna to set Dhaka a competitive target.
Dhaka’s chase never got going.
Miraz got rid of Liton Das (two) and Stephen Eskinazi (nought) in consecutive deliveries.
Shahahat Hossain Dipu (three) denied Miraz a hat-trick but Rony further derailed Dhaka by claiming the wickets of Tanzid Hasan Tamim (19) and Dipu in consecutive overs, leaving them struggling at 26/4.
Miraz dismissed Shubham Ranjane for six and Ziaur Rahman took out Alauddin Babu for a duck to edge Khulna closer to victory with Dhaka reeling at 41/6.
With the damage already done, resistance from Thisara helped Dhaka reach 150-odd, saving them from a big defeat.
Khulna earlier beat Chittagong Kings by 37 runs.
8TH MATCH
Khulna Tigers 173/8 (Ankon 32, Naim 30) beat Dhaka Capitals 153/6 (Perera 103*, Miraz 3/6) by 20 runs