… beat Dubai Capitals by eight runs

WATCHED by a small crowd in sweltering heat at Providence yesterday, defending Champions Rangpur Riders beat Dubai Capitals by eight runs to remain unbeaten heading into tomorrow’s Global Super League (GSL) final.

Electing to bat on a slow track and a beautifully manicured sward, Barbadian left-arm pacer Dominic Drakes struck in the first over when he trapped Ibrahim Zadran (1) lbw at 3-1.
But Soumya Sarkar (38) and Kyle Mayers (19 with a four and two sixes) added 37 for the second wicket before Rohan Mustafa got rid of Mayers.
Mahidul Islam Ankon (11) was caught and bowled by Qais Ahmad at 65-3.

Sarkar hit four sixes in a 28-ball innings before he fell to Shakib Al Hasan at 75-4.
With the 100 being posted in the 14 over, Azmatullah Omarzai (8) was removed by Gulbadin Naib five runs later.
Iftikhar Ahmed lofted Naib for consecutive sixes, and along with Skipper Nurul Hasan (38) added 53 in an unbroken stand to carry the score to 158-5 on a lightning-fast outfield.
When Dubai Capitals began their chase, they were helped by cameos from Sediqullah Atal and Sanjay Krishnamurthi.

The fourth wicket pair put together 48 from 37 balls before Krishnamurthi stabbed a catch to cover off left-arm spinner Rakibul Hasan after making 27 from 22 balls with a four and a six.
Shakib Al Hasan (3) joined Atal with the score on 76-4 but was soon dismissed by Saif Hassan 84-5.
It was soon 85-6 when Saif Hassan removed Atal to claim his third scalp.

After Atal’s demise, for 38 from 31 balls with five boundaries, including a six, only Qais Ahmad (18) and Dominique Drakes (22) tried to capitalise on the Riders’ worst display in the field as Dubai Capitals could only reach 150 in 19.2 overs.

Saif Hassan took 3-20 and got support from Khaled Ahmed, who had 2-14. (Sean Devers)