DHAKA, Jan 03, 2024 (BSS) - Despite a century of captain Thisara Perera Dhaka Capitals suffered their third straight defeat in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) by tasting a 20-run loss to Khulna Tigers at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Sri Lankan recruit Perera who hit his first T20 century after playing 376 matches, scored 103 runs alone of Dhaka’s 153-6 after Khulna posted 173-8.

Khulna in fact virtually ended the game when they left Dhaka at precarious 41-6 in 9.3 overs with their skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz wrecking havoc by claiming 3-6 in four overs.

Perera who raised his century in the last ball of the innings only reduced the margin of the defeat. He eventually stroked 60 ball-103 with nine fours and seven sixes. Perera though survived twice when William Bosisto failed hold onto his catch on 69 and 85.
 
It looked a handy support from Chaturanga de Silva who made just 11 off 20 in 112-run partnership with Perera in an unbeaten seventh wicket stand could give Dhaka a glimmer of hope.

Mahidul Islam Ankon’s late onslaught was key in taking Khulna closer to 180 which looked unlikely initially.

Thanks to his 21 ball-32, complemented by Ziaur Rahman’s 15 ball-22 and Abu Haider Rony’s eight ball-21 not out, 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 Naim Sheikh and William Bosisto put up 49 runs before Chaturanga de Silva 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 before Khulna tasted a middle order collapse that saw them losing five wickets for 43 runs.
 
Ankon, trying to cement his place as a finisher then took the onus 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 carnage. But Rony finished it well for Khulna to set Dhaka a healthy target.

Dhaka’s chase had never got a pace when Khulna skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz got rid of Liton Das (2) and Stephen Eskinazi in consecutive deliveries.

 Shahahat Hossain Dipu denied him hat-trick but Abu Haider Rony further derailed Dhaka by claiming wicket of Tanzid Hasan Tamim (15) and Dipu in consecutive two overs, leaving them at precarious 26-4.

Miraz dismissed Shubham Ranjane for 6 and Ziaur Rahman took out Alauddin Babu for duck to edge Khulna closer to victory with Dhaka reeling at 41-6.

With the damage being done, resistance from Thisara Perera helped Dhaka go past 100 runs and saved from ultimate blushes.

Khulna earlier beat Chittagong Kings by 37 runs.