Sports Reporter :
Khulna Titans registered a thrilling three-run win over Rajshahi Kings in their first match of the 4th Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 Cricket at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday.
Electing to bat first, Khulna Titans made a fighting 133 for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 20 overs and then dismissed Rajshahi Kings for 130 off 20 overs.
Mahmudullah Riyad of Khulna Titans showed an all-round performance and played the key role for his team’s exciting victory. He hit a captain’s knock of 32. His 21-ball innings was belted with three fours and a sixer. Later, he captured three wickets at the cost of six runs. Riyad was adjudged the Man of the Match for his all-round performance.
Junaid Khan gave him a good support in wrecking Rajshahi innings claiming four wickets for 23 runs.
Khulna had a shaky start as they lost their opener Nicholas Pooran (14) when Khulna’s total was 18. Pooran was cleanly bowled out by ‘Magic Boy’ Mehedi Hasan Miraz.
Then opener Abdul Mazid and Riki Wessels repaired the early damage contributing together 47 runs for the second wicket stand before Wessels was caught at the backward point by Umar Akmal off Abul Hasan when Khulna’s score was 65 for the loss of two wickets.
Wessels hit a polished 32 from 22 balls featuring four fours and a sixer.
After dismissal of Wessels, Abdul Mazid (15) could stay at the crease for a short period as he was stumped out by wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan off Samit Patel when Khulna’s total was 65 for the loss of three wickets.
Third-down Shuvagata Hom’s innings was short-lived as he (3) was run out by Mominul Haque when Khulna’s score was 72 for the loss of four wickets.
Then Mahmudullah Riyad and Alok Kapali built a worthy partnership. They put on together 39 runs for the fifth wicket stand before Riyad was caught at the long-on by Farhad Reza off Abul Hasan when Khulna’s total was 111 for the loss of five wickets.
Abul Hasan bowled extremely well and finished his spell as 4-0-28-5.
Alok Kapali (11) was dismissed the next delivery of Abul Hasan as Kapali was caught at the mid-wicket by Umar Akmal off Abul Hasan when Khulna’s score was 111 for the loss of six wickets.
Then Ariful Haque (14) was caught at the third-man by Mohammad Sami off Abul Hasan when Khulna’s total was 125 for the loss of seven wickets.
Abul Hasan fulfilled his five-wicket haul as Shafiul Islam (0) was bowled out by Abul Hasan when Khulna’s score was 125 for the loss of eight wickets.
Rajshahi faced an early debacle as they lost three wickets for 24 runs.
It was Junaid Khan, who dismissed Nurul Hasan for just four runs, removed Sabbir Rahman for four runs. Umar Akmal (0) was caught behind by Samit Patel off Junaid Khan.
After departure of Akmal, opener Mominul Haque and Samit Patel added together 35 runs for the fourth wicket stand before Patel (10) was caught at the backward point by Ariful Haque off Mohammad Asghar when Rajshahi’s total was 59 for the loss 59 runs.
Dependable Mominul Haque hit a superb 64. His 57-ball innings was laced with six fours.
After dismissal of Patel, Mominul Haque and Darren Sammy fought back contributing together 52 runs for the fifth wicket partnership before Sammy was bowled out by Shafiul Islam when Rajshahi’s score was 111 for the loss of five wickets.
Sammy hit a fine 31 off 23 balls featuring three sixes.
After dismissal of Sammy, Mominul Haque’s innings came to end after four deliveries as he was caught behind by Nicholas Pooran off Shafiul Islam when Rajshahi’s total was 120 for the loss of six wickets.
Then Junaid Khan dismissed Farhad Reza for just four runs.
Mahmudulah Riyad removed Abul Hasan for three, plucked Mohammad Sami for one and dismissed Nazmul Islam for naught and Rajshahi innings came to an end.
Pacer Shafiul Islam bagged a pair of wickets for 29 runs.
