Sports Reporter :
Khulna Titans recorded a narrow 18-run win over Chittagong Vikings in their match of the AKS Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Twenty20 Cricket at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday.
Sent into bat first, Khulna Titans made 170 for the loss of seven wickets in the stipulated 20 overs and then they restricted Chittagong Vikings to 152 for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.
Khulna faced an early debacle as they lost three wickets for 29 runs.
Then Rilee Rossouw and Mahmudullah Riyad repaired the early damage adding together 39 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Rossouw (25) was caught at the deep square leg by Soumya Sarkar off Taskin Ahmed when Khulna’s total was 68 runs for the loss of four wickets.
After Rossouw’s dismissal, Mahmudullah and Ariful Haque built another notable partnership. They put on together 35 runs before Riyad was caught at the point by Anamul Haque off Taskin Ahmed when Khulna’s score was 103 for the loss of five wickets.
Riyad hit a polished 40. His 33-ball innings was decorated with two sixes sand two fours.
Ariful Haque cracked a superb 40. His 25-ball knock was studded with four sixes and a four.
After Riyad’s departure, Ariful Haque and Carlos Brathwate put on together 55 runs before Brathwate was bowled out by Subashis Roy when Khulna’s total was 158 for the loss of six wickets.
Brathwate hit a quick-fire 30. His 14-ball innings was belted with three sixes and two fours.
Taskin Ahmed of Chittagong Vokings got three wickets conceding 43 runs, while Sunzamul Islam took two wickets for 20 runs.
Later, Chittagong Vikings faced early disaster as they lost their four wickets for 38 runs.
Then Misbah-ul-Haque and Sikandar Raza contributed 59 runs for the fifth wicket partnership before Raza was bowled out by Shafiul Islam when Chittagong’s total was 97 for the loss of five wickets.
Raza top-scored with 37. His 27-ball innings was laced with two sixes and three fours.
After removal of Raza, Misbah was caught at the long-on by Nazmul Hossain Shanto off Abu Jayed when Chittagong’s score was 107 for the loss of six wickets.
Misbah made 30 from 37 balls featuring two fours.
Then Luis Reece was bowled out by Jofra Archer when Chittagong’s total was 137 for the loss of seven wickets.
Reece scored 22 runs.
Abu Jayed of Khulna Titans captured four wickets at the cost of 35 runs. He was adjudged the Man of the Match.
