Sports Reporter :
Rajshahi Kings posted an easy three-wicket win over Chittagong Vikings in their eliminator phase of the AKS Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 Cricket at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Tuesday.
Chittagong Vikings were eliminated from the gala shorter version cricket tournament.
Put to bat first, Chittagong Vikings scored a fighting total of 142 for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.
In reply, Rajshahi Kings reached the winning target making 143 for the loss of seven wickets when they had nine balls to spare.
Rajshahi faced an early jolt losing their two wickets for just eight runs.
Opener Nurul Hasan and second-down Sabbir Rahman repaired the early damage contributing together 31 runs for the third wicket partnership before Sabbir Rahman (11) was caught at the mid-off by Mohammad Nabi off Subashis Roy when Rajshahi’s score was 39 for the loss of three wickets.
At one stage, Rajshahi Kings lost seven wickets for 94 runs.
Darren Sammy played the vital role for Rajshahi’s victory with a good support of Farhad Reza.
Sammy and Reza contributed together 49 runs for the unbroken eighth wicket stand.
Sammy remained unbeaten with 55. His 27-ball typhoon innings was laced with seven fours and two sixes. Sammy was adjudged the Man of the Match for his outstanding batting performance.
Opener Nurul Hasan was the other batsman of Rajshahi who got success with willow. He hit a polished 34 from 28 balls featuring two fours and a sixer.
Farhad Reza remained unbeaten with 19. He hit three fours in his 11-ball knock.
Saqlain Sajib and Subashis Roy of Chittagong Vikings bagged a pair of wickets each conceding 24 and 28 runs respectively.
Besides, Abdur Razzzak and Mohammad Nabi took one wicket apiece.
Earlier, Chittagong Vikings lost opener Dwayne Smith (0) when Chittagong’s score was just eight.
Then opener Tamim Iqbal and first-down Chris Gayle put on together 74 runs for the second wicket partnership before Gayle was caught at the long-on by Farhad Reza off James Franklin when Chittagong’s total was 82 for the loss of two wickets.
Tamim Iqbal hit a sparkle 51. His 46-ball innings was decorated with six fours.
Gayle notched up a fine 44. His 30-ball knock was studded with five sixes and two fours.
After dismissal of Gayle, Tamim Iqbal and Shoaib Malik added together 30 runs before Malik (14) was caught at the cover by Mehedi Hasan Miraz off Farhad Reza when Chittagong’s score was 112 for the loss of three wickets.
Then Tamim Iqbal was caught at the extra cover by Samit Patel off Kesrick Williams when Chittagong’s total was 117 for the loss of four wickets.
After dismissal of Tamim, Chittagong batsmen failed to build any notable partnership.
Kesrick Williams of Rajshahi Kings captured four wickets at the cost of 11 runs, while Farhad Reza bagged a pair of wickets for 26 runs.
Besides, James Franklin got one wicket instead of eight runs.
