Rajshahi Kings beat Dhaka Dynamites by 20 runs in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet on Wednesday, reports UNB.
Left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny helped Rajshahi defend a small total of 136, taking three scalps for eight runs.
This is Dhaka's first loss in this edition of BPL.
Dhaka managed to reach 116/9 in 20 overs. Both of Dhaka's openers returned to the pavilion without reaching the double-digit.
Hazratullah Zazai, who scored two consecutive fifties in first two matches, once again failed to shine. He fell for six while the other opener - Sunil Narine - posted one run.
Dhaka failed to control this initial damage and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. They got the highest score from their number eight - Nurul Hasan Shohan- who added 20.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz scalped two for the Rajshahi. Isuru Udana, Kamrul Islam and Mustafizur Rahman took one wicket each for them as well.
Earlier, Marshall Ayub struck 45 off 31 balls after Rajshahi won the toss and chose to bat first. Miraz, the captain, opened the innings once again but was dismissed after scoring a run. He was trapped by Dhaka's all-rounder Andre Russell.
In the second wicket stand, Shahriar Nafees and Marshall Ayub put 75 runs, setting up a platform for a big total. But after their dismissal in the same over of Narine, Rajshahi failed to exploit their strong platform. Zakir Hasan (20) and Ryan ten Doeschate (16) tried to add some runs.
Sunil scalped three wickets. Russell, Shakib Al Hasan and Alis Al Hasan took one wicket each.
Rajshahi now have six points from six matches. They have won three matches and lost the others. On the other hand, Dhaka kept their position cemented at the top of the table with four wins in five matches.
Dhaka will face Sylhet Sixers in their next match tomorrow (Friday) while Rajshahi will play Comilla Victorians on January 21.