Sports Reporter :
Rajshahi Kings recorded an easy 33-run win over Chittagong Vikings in their match of the AKS Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Twenty20 Cricket at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Wednesday.
Electing to bat first, Rajshahi Kings made 157 for the loss of six wickets in the stipulated 20 overs and then they all out Chittagong Vikings for 124 off 19.2 overs.
Rajshahi Kings had a frustrating start as they lost opener Mominul Haque (7) when Rajshahi’s total was 10.
Then Luke Wright and Zakir Hasan added together 31 runs for the second wicket partnership before Zakir (17) was bowled out by Luis Reece when the team’s score was 41 for the loss of two wickets.
Opener Luke Wright (25) was caught at the deep midwicket by Sikandar Raza off Sunzamul Islam when Rajshahi’s total was 63 for the loss of three wickets.
Second-down Mushfiqur Rahim was caught at the long-on by Tanbir Hayder off Nayeem Hasan when Rajshahi’s score was 86 for the loss of four wickets.
Mushfiqur Rahim hit a superb 31. His 22-ball innings was studded with four fours and a six.
Third-down James Franklin and fourth-down Darren Sammy built a worthy partnership. They put on together 69 runs for the fifth wicket partnership before Sammy was trapped leg before wicket by Luis Reece when Rajshahi’s total was 55 for the loss of five wickets.
Sammy notched up a marvelous 40. His 25-ball knock was decorated with three sixes and two fours.
Franklin hit a run-a-ball 30 including two fours.
Luis Reece got three wickets conceding 33 runs, while Nayeem Hasan, Sunzamul Islam and Taskin Ahmed took one wicket each for nine, 26 and 36 runs respectively.
Later, Chittagong Vikings had a poor start as they lost Luke Ronchi (8), the opener when Chittagong Vikinhg’s total was 13.
Then Soumya Sarkar and Anamul Haque added together 38 runs in the second wicket stand before Soumya (13) was caught at the extra cover by James Franklin off Mustafizur Rahman when Chittagong’s score was 51 for the loss of two wickets.
One-down Anamul Haque (23) was caught by Zakir Hasan off Qazi Onik when the team’s total was 60 for the loss of three wickets.
After Anamul’s departure, Sikandar Raza and Stiaan van Zyl put on together 32 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Raza (17) was caught at the deep square leg by substitute Naeem Islam (Junior) off Usama Mir when Chittagong’s score was 92 for the loss of four wickets.
Then Chittagong lost their wickets in regular intervals.
Stiaan van Zyl made 27 from 29 balls.
Qazi Onik of Rajshahi Kings captured four wickets at the cost of 17 runs, while Mustafizur Rahman bagged a couple of wickets instead of 18 runs.
Besides, Usama Mir and Mohammad Sami took one wicket each for 15 and 29 runs respectively.
Darren Sammy was adjudged the Man of the Match.
