|| CF Correspondent ||

Opener Tamim Iqbal batted throughout the innings to score 52 ball-68 not out while Asif Ali blasted an unbeaten 55 off 28 as Dhaka Platoon compiled a respectable 174-5 against Rajshahi Rangers in high voltage clash in Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BBPL) at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Both of the batsmen rode on luck and pluck to keep Dhaka in good stead for the time being.

Being sent to bat first, Dhaka Platoon were strangled for runs and kept losing wickets at regular interval. Tamim however showed and extra caution at the other end which created more pressure on the other batsmen who had to take risk for scoring chances.

Young Mahedia Hasan broke the shackle with 11 ball-21 that gave the innings some perspective but his dismissal again sparked the collapse.

With Tamim continuing his slow batting even against a toothless bowling, Asif Ali rescued the side from ultimate shamble with free-flowing batting.

In the meantime, Tamim reached his half-century with some luck as Afif Hossain missed a sitter a deep square leg.

With Asif giving him the motivation, Tamim finally was able to take some big shots and in doing so helped him increase his strike rate to some extent. Tamim struck four fours and three sixes in his 68 off 52 while Asia smashed four fours and as many sixes in his 28 ball-55.