Sports Reporter :
Khulna Tigers eased past Chattogram Challengers by six wickets in their match of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Cricket at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Friday.
Chasing Chattogram’s total of 143 for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 20 overs, Khulna romped home making 144 for the loss of four wickets when they had seven balls to spare.
Khulna had a sorrow start as opener Soumya Sarkar (1) was caught at the deep square leg by Benny Howell off Shoriful Islam when Khulna’s score was just two runs.
After Soumya’s dismissal, opener Andre Fletcher and Rony Talukdar repaired the damage contributing together 50 runs for the second wicket partnership before Rony Talukdar (17) was caught at the long-on by Will Jacks off Nasum Ahmed when Khulna’s total was 52 for the loss of two wickets.
After Talukdar’s departure, Fletcher and Mushfiqur Rahim put on together 46 runs in the third wicket stand before Fletcher was caught at the long-on by Will Jacks off Mehidy Hdasan Miraz when Khulna’s score was 98 for the loss of three wickets.
Fletcher hit a sparkle 58. His 47-ball innings was belted with six fours and two sixes. Fletcher was adjudged the Man of the Match for his outstanding batting performance.
After Fletcher’s dismissal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Seekkuge Prasanna and scored together 45 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Prasanna was caught at the deep extra cover by Afif Hossain off Mehidy Hasan Miraz when Khulna’s total was 143 for the loss of four wickets.
Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten with 44. He hit four fours and a sixer in his 30-ball innings.
Prasanna made 23 from 15 balls featuring two sixes and one four.
Miraz was his team’s most successful bowler with two wickets for 24 runs.
Earlier, Will Jacks and Afif Hossain built a notable partnership for Chattogram. They put on together 57 runs for the second wicket partnership before Will Jacks was bowled out by Thisara Perera when Chattogram’s total was 60 runs.
Jacks scored 28 from 23 balls including four fours.
Later, the batters of Chattogram failed to make any notable partnership.
Afif Hossain hit a respectable 44. His 37-ball innings was decorated with three fours and two sixes.
Naeem Islam remained unbeaten with 25. He hit two fours and a sixer in his 19-ball innings.
Thisara Perera shone with the cherry bagging three wickets in the space of 18 runs.
