DHAKA, Jan 23, 2019 (BSS)- A match-winning 88-run unbeaten stand between
skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and Mosaddek Hossain helped Chittagong Vikings to
register an overwhelming six-wicket victory over Rajshahi Kings in the 27th
match of Bangladesh Premier League T20 on Wednesday at Sher-e-Bangla National
Cricket Stadium at Mirpur.
Mushfiqur, leading from the front, scored 46-ball off 64 runs hitting six
boundaries and two over boundaries while Mosaddek supported him with a
priceless 26-ball off 43 runs with four boundaries and two over boundaries as
Chittagong chased down the target making 159 for the loss of four wickets
with two balls to spare.
Chittagong Kings stared their chase badly as they lost two quick wickets
early. Opener Mohammad Shahzad kept the score board busy making 17-ball off
25 runs with the help of five boundaries before Arafat Sunny struck again
removing Shahzad.
Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and Najibullah Zadran steadied Chittagong’s innings
contributing 41 runs for the fourth wicket stand. But Arafat Sunny continued
to strike sending back Zadran for 23 runs.
Arafat Sunny was the most successful bowler as he hauled three Chittagong’s
wickets giving away 22 runs.
Chittagong skipper Mushfiqur Rahim was named the player of the match for
his match-winning knock.
Winning Chittagong Vikings skipper Mushfiqur Rahim said: “At the end of the
day the team winning is the most important thing. Having had a start, I
wanted to stay till the end to finish the game. We were really good in the
first ten overs with the ball but lost the plot in the last ten. Mosaddek
will also get a lot of confidence with an innings like this and will help him
for the rest of the BPL. It is difficult to score against their bowlers in
the death; but we knew that one good shot would win us the game. Mosaddek was
calm and collected and he picked out the right ball and finished it off.
Mehedy Hasan, the skipper of Rajshahi Kings said: “I thought we had a good
total, but our bowlers couldn’t execute their plans well. We know that
Chittagong have had a few back-to-back wins, but our bowlers will look to
come back strongly. All our boys batted well, Laurie, RTD and Jonker got
quick runs for us.”
Earlier, English opener Laurie Evans scored a blistering half century that
helped Rajshahi Kings to post a challenging total of 157 for 5 from their
allotted 20 overs after they were forced to bat first by Chittagong Kings.
The right handed all-rounder blasted 56-ball off 74 runs hitting four
boundaries and two over boundaries and during the process he formed two
important partnerships first 54-runs for the third wicket stand batting with
all rounder Ryan ten Doeschate and then scored 47 runs for the fourth wicket
stand pairing with Christiaan Jonker.
The Netherlands recruit Ryan ten Doeschate hammered 20-ball off 28 runs
with the help of four boundaries before he fell victim to Abu Jayed while
Christiaan Jonker blazed unbeaten 20-ball off 36 to steer Rajshahi Kings to
post a challenging target for Chittagong.
Khaled Ahmed was the most successful bowler as he claimed two Rajshahi’s
wickets conceding 30 runs.
With this win, Chittagong Vikings went at the top of the table with 12
points from seven matches while Rajshahi Kings remained at their previous
credit of eight points from eight outings.