Ripon takes hat-trick as Rajshahi pacer joins elite BPL list

Rajshahi Warriors pacer Ripon Mondol became the third bowler to take a hat-trick in this season’s Bashundhara Cement Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), achieving the feat against Dhaka Capitals in the final match of the Sylhet phase.

Dhaka, batting first after winning the toss, were 128 for seven in 19 overs when Ripon returned to bowl the final over. After conceding only three runs off the first three deliveries, he struck with three wickets in three balls.

Sabbir Rahman was caught attempting a big shot, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi was taken by Jimmy Neesham in the deep, and Taijul Islam was bowled to complete the hat-trick.

Earlier this season, Mehedi Hasan Rana (Noakhali Express v Sylhet Titans) and Mrittunjoy Chowdhury Nipun (Rangpur Riders v Noakhali Express) had also taken hat-tricks.

Ripon’s feat was the 11th hat-trick in BPL history, achieved by 10 bowlers — with Mrittunjoy the only one to have done it twice. It was also the 11th hat-trick by Bangladeshi bowlers in recognised T20 cricket.