Sports Reporter :
Chittagong Vikings recorded a narrow three-wicket win over Rangpur Riders in the opening match of the UCB 6th Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 cricket at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Saturday. Sent into bat first, Rangpur Riders scored 98 for all in 20 overs.
In return, Chittagong Vikings reached the winning target making 101 for the loss of eight wickets when they had just five balls to spare.
Chittagong Vikings had a shaky start as they lost two early wickets for 19 runs.
Then opener Mohammad Shahzad and Mushfiqur Rahim contributed together 32 runs for the third wicket stand before Shahzad was trapped leg before wicket by BAC Howell when Chittagong’s total 51 runs.
Shahzad hit a polished 27. His 23-ball knock saw four fours.
Ace batsman Mohammad Ashraful failed to show a respectable performance as he was dismissed by Shafiul Islam for just three runs. After departure of Shahzad, Chittagong Vikings lost their sixth wicket for 77 runs. Mushfiqur Rahim hit a captain’s knock of 25. He hit two fours in his 31-ball innings before he was caught at the short fine leg by Howell off Nazmul Islam when Chittagong’s score was 85 for the loss of seven wickets. Later, Frylink and Sunzamul Islam helped their team to reach the winning spot. Mashrafe Bin Mortaza bagged a couple of wickets instead of 24 runs, while Farhad Reza, Howell, Nazmul Islam and Shafiul Islam took one wicket each for 10, 13, 17 and 19 runs respectively.
Earlier, Rangpur Riders faced a batting collapse as they lost seven wickets just for 35 runs.
Later, Ravi Bopara and Sohag Gazi repaired the damage adding together 49 runs for the eighth wicket partnership before Gazi was caught behind by wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad off R Frylink when Rangpur’s total was 95 for the loss of eight wickets.
Ravi Bopara fought back against the tight and controlled bowling attack of Chittagong Vikings. Bopara hit a marvelous 44. His 47-ball innings was studded with two sixes and three fours. Sohag Gazi made 21 from 17 balls featuring three fours.
After Gazi’s dismissal Ravi Bopara was caught at the long-on by Mosaddek Hossain off Abu Jayed when Rangpur Riders’ score was 95 for the loss of nine wickets.
R Frylink played the key role in demolishing Rangpu’s innings claiming four wickets at the cost of 14 runs. Nayeem Hasan and Abu Jayed gave him a good support to wrap up Rangpur’s innings. Nayeem and Abu Jayed bagged a pair of wickets each instead of 10 and 30 runs respectively.
Besides, Khaled Ahmed took one wicket for 15 runs.
R Frylink of Chittagong Vikings was adjudged the Man of the Match.
