Bangladesh Premier League: AB de Villiers’ fiery century leads Rangpur Riders to thrilling 8-wicket win

Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers lit up the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram with an unbeaten century to help Rangpur Riders seal a thumping eight-wicket win over Dhaka Dynamites in a Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match on Monday. ABD was well supported by Englishman Alex Hales, who was unbeaten on 85 as the duo’s forged 184 runs for the unconquered third wicket that saw their side to victory with 10 balls to spare.

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The massive victory margin has boosted up the net run-rate which now has ensured that Rangpur move up to top the table.

Chasing a stiff target of 187, Rangpur were in the dumps at 5/2 in just the second over. The lost dashing West Indies opener Chris Gayle to his countryman Andre Russell for just 1. Russell returned in his next over to send Rilee Rossouw for a duck. (ALSO READ: Evin Lewis’ unbeaten century inflicts more misery on Khulna Titans)

After Rossouw’s departure, De Villiers and Hales took centrestage as the duo matched each other shot for shot. ABD’s belligerent 50-ball knock was laced with eight boundaries and six hits over the fence, while Hales’ 53-ball 85 was decorated with eight fours and three sixes.

Earlier, Rony Talukdar top scored with 52 as the Dynamites made 186 in 20 overs.

The Dynamites were off to a good start, but just as opener Hazratullah Zazai (17) was shifting gears, Farhad Reza ended his innings. The other opener – Sunil Narine – fell to Nazmul Islam after making a quick 28 off 19 which included three boundaries and two sixes.

Talukdar then combined with captain Shakib Al Hasan as the duo stitched 54 runs for the third wicket. The partnership was brought to an end by Reza, who cleaned up the veteran Shakib for 25 off 12. (ALSO READ: Mustafizur Rahman’s 3/28 helps Rajshahi Kings beat Chittagong Vikings by 7 runs)

Lusty blows by West Indies allrounder Kieron Pollard, who was unbeaten on 37 off 23, ensured Rangpur Riders to a competitive 186, but it proved to be no match for De Villiers, who’s in breath-taking form.

Brief scores: Rangpur Riders 189/2 (AB de Villiers 100*, Alex Hales 85*) beat Dhaka Dynamites 186/6 (Rony Talukdar 52, Kieron Pollard 37*, Farhad Reza 2/32) by eight wickets