Sports Reporter :
Barisal Bulls made an auspicious start in the Bangladesh Premier League when they defeated Rangpur Riders by 13 runs in their first match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Monday.
Batting first Barisal Bulls made 155 for the loss of nine wickets in the regulation 20 overs and then they bowled out Rangpur Riders for 142 off 20 overs.
Kevin Cooper of Barisal Bulls played the key role in wrecking Rangpur’s innings and finished his spell as 4-1-15-5.
Rangpur Riders lost their first four wickets for 66 runs.
Later, Mohammad Mithun and Thisara Perera repaired the damage adding together 68 runs for the fifth wicket stand.
Mohammad Mithun was the only batsman of Rangpur Riders who shone with the willow. He scored 55 off 32 balls featuring five fours and two sixes.
Barisal Bulls made a disastrous start losing their early four wickets for just 15 runs.
Then Mahmudullah Riyad and Nadif Chowdhury fought back contributing together 82 runs for the fifth wicket partnership before Mahmudullah Riyad was caught at the deep mid-wicket by Thisara Perera off Shakib Al Hasan wnen Barisal’s score was 97 for the loss of five wickets.
Then Nadif Chowdhury was caught at the deep mid-wicket by Thisara Perera off Shakib Al Hasan when Barisal’s total was 105 for the loss of six wickets.
After dismissal of Nadif Chowdhury, Barisal batsmen failed to build any notable partnership.
Mahmudullah Riyad hit a captain’s knock of 51. His 43-ball innings was belted with five fours and a six while Nadif Chowdhury hit 30 from 31 balls featuring one four and one six.
Besides, Kevin Cooper and Mohammad Sami added 21 and 15 runs respectively to the Barisal Bulls total.
Shakib Al Hasan and Thisara Perera played the key role to restrict Barisal Bulls to make a massive total.
Shakib Al Hasan and Thisara Perera captured three wickets each for 23 and 29 runs respectively.
Besides, Saqlain Sajib got one wicket conceding 37 runs.
