Sports Reporter :
Khulna Titans posted a narrow nine-run win over Rangpur Riders in their match of the AKS Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 Cricket at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Friday.
Sent into bat first, Khulna Titans piled up a challenging total of 158 for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 20 overs and then they restricted Ragpur Riders to 149 for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs.
Khulna Titans faced an early batting collapse as they lost three wickets for 49 runs.
Then Mahmudullah Riyad and Nicholas Pooran built a notable partnership. They put on together 43 runs before Pooran (16) was caught behind by Mohammad Mithun off Lasith Malinga when Khulna’s score was 92 for the loss of four wickets.
Mahmudullah Riyad top-scored with 59. His 36-ball splendid innings was studded with six fours and two sixes. It was Riyad’s 10th T20 half century.
After Pooran’s dismissal, Riyad and Ariful Haque added together 38 runs before Mahmudullah was caught by Nahidul Islam off Rubel Hossain when Khulna’s total was 130 for the loss of four wickets.
After departure of Riyad, batsmen of Khulna failed to make any notable partnership.
Rubel Hossain of Rangpur Riders grabbed three wickets at the cost of 35 runs, while Lasith Malinga bagged a couple of wickets instead of 27 runs.
Thisara Perera and Sohag Gazi and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza took one wicket each for 30, 30 and 32 runs respectively.
Later, Rangpur Riders had a frustrating start as they lost their four wickets for 45 runs. Then Ravi Bopara and Nahidul Islam fought back adding together 100 runs for the fifth wicket stand before Nahidul Islam was run out by Junaid Khan when Rangpur’s total was 145 for the loss of five wickets.
Nahidul Islam hit a fine 58. His 43-ball innings was laced with seven fours. It was Nahidul’s maiden T20 half century.
Bopara knocked a marvelous 59. He hit four fours and a sixer in his 44-ball innings.
Afif Hossain of Khulna Titans bagged a couple of wickets at the cost of four runs, while Junaid Khan and Abu Jayed got one wicket each conceding 20 and 48 runs respectively.
Mahmudullah Riyad was adjudged the Man of the Match.
