Sports Reporter :
Rangpur Riders registered a resounding nine-wicket victory over Khulna Titans in their match of the AKS Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 Cricket at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Thursday.
Chasing Khulna Titans fragile total of 44 off 10.4 overs, Rangpur Riders romped home making 45 for the loss of one wicket when they had 12 overs to spare.
Rangpur made a sorrow start as they lost their opener Mohammad Shahzad for 13 runs when Rangpur’s total was 16. Shahzad was caught and bowled by Junaid Khan.
Then opener Soumya Sarkar and Mohammad Mithun did not take any risk to anchor the winning spot. They contributed 29 runs for the unbroken second wicket partnership.
Mohammad Mithun remained unbeaten with 15. He hit two fours in his 15-ball innings, while Soumya Sarkar remained unbeaten with 13.
Zunaid Khan was the only consolation for Khulna who took one wicket for 14 runs.
Khulna Titans’ batting totally collapsed by right-arm spinner Shahid Afridi and left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny of Rangpur Riders. Khulna batsmen failed to build any notable partnership. The time of the Khulna Titans’ innings was just 56 minutes.
Shuvagata Hom was the only batsman of Khulna Titans who could reach the double -digit figures scoring 12.
Shahid Afridi captured four wickets at the cost of 12 runs, while Arafat Sunny claimed three wickets instead of naught.
Besides, Sohag Gazi and Richard Gleeson took one wicket each for six and 14 runs respectively.
Shahid Afridi was adjudged the Man of the Match for his outstanding bowling performance.
