Sports Reporter :
Rangpur Riders recorded a massive seven-wicket victory over Khulna Titans in their match of the AKS Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 Cricket at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Tuesday.
Chasing a modest Khulna’s 125 for the loss of seven wickets in the stipulated 20 overs, Rangpur Riders sailed home making 129 for the loss of three wickets remaining with six balls.
Rangpur had a shaky start as they lost their opener Soumya Sarkar for three when Rangpur’s total was 13.
Then opener Mohammad Shahzad and Mohammad Mithun repaired the damage contributing together 74 runs for the second wicket partnership before Mohammad Shahzad was caught at the long-on by Alok Kapali off Mahmudullah Riyad when Rangpur’s total was 87 for the loss of two wickets.
After dismissal of Shahzad, Mohammad Mithun and Shahid Afridi salvaged their team from danger contributing together 45 runs before Shahid Afridi was cleanly bowled out by Benny Howell when Rangpur’s score was 122 for the loss of three wickets.
Mohammad Mithun remained unbeaten with 49. His 41-ball innings was belted with three sixes and one four.
Mohammad Shahzad hit a fine 37 from 38 balls featuring four fours and a sixer while Shahid Afridi knocked a polished 26 from 20 balls including two fours and a sixer.
Mahmudullah Riyad, Junaid Khan, Benny Howell of Khulna Titans took one wicket each conceding 14, 23 and 31 runs respectively.
Earliter, Khulna Titans lost their early three wickets for 38 runs.
Then Riki Wessels and Taibur Rahman put on together 56 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Riki Wessels was caught at the deep mid-wicket by Naeem Islam off Rubel Hossain when Khulna’s score was 94 for the loss of four wickets.
Earlier, Mahmudullah Riyad (11), the most dependable batsman of Khulna Titans was caught at the deep mid-wicket by Anwar Ali off Shahid Afridi when Khulna’s score was 38 for the loss of three wickets.
Later, Benny Howell (3) was cleanly bowled out by Shahid Afridi when Khulna’s total was 109 for the loss of six wickets.
Shahid Afrifi was adjudged the Man of the Match for his all-round performance.
Spinner Arafat Sunny and pacer Rubel Hossain of Rangpur Riders gave a good support to Shahid Afridi to restrict Khulna to a meek total.
Taibur Rahman of notched up a remarkable 32. His 37-ball innings was laced with three fours and a six.
Riki Wessels and Ariful Haque added 27 and 22 runs respectively to the Khulna’ s total.
Arafat Sunny and Rubel Hossain bagged a couple of wickets each for 16 and 19 runs respectively.
