Rangpur blow away Chittagong

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CHATTOGRAM, Jan 25, 2019 (BSS) – Opener Alex Hales and Rilee Rossouw hammered a brilliant centuries as defending Champions Rangpur Riders registered an emphatic 72-run victory over Chittagong Vikings in the 30th match of the Bangladesh Premier League T20 held on Friday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

The duo raised a storm as the Chittagong bowlers were helpless in front of their merciless batting after the defending champions amassed a record total of 239 for 4 on the board against Chittagong Vikings — the highest total by a side in the BPL from their allotted 20 overs after they were forced to bat first by Chittagong Vikings.

The English batsman Hales blazed with 48-ball off 100-run during a 174-run partnership with Rossouw – the third highest partnership in BPL history, hitting 11 boundaries and five over boundaries.

Hales eventually fell to Sikandar Raza but the South African recruit Rossouw continued his onslaught, picking up his ton from 51 deliveries that contained eight fours and six sixes, after Rangpur Riders lost their opener Chris Gayle at six runs in the score board.

Hales and Rossouw’s record-filled innings was the third time in T20s that two batsmen have scored century in an innings while it was the first time happened in the history of BPL.

Abu Jayed was the most successful bowler as he claimed two Rangpur’s wickets conceding 25 runs.

In reply, Chittagong Vikings started their chase badly as the lost opener Mohammad Shazad for 20 runs. Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (22) also failed to take the responsibility leaving Chittagong in a deep trouble.

Yasir Ali, the top scorer of Chittagong’s innings, fought hard as he blasted 48-ball off 78 runs but the target was behind him to chase the mammoth target as the Rangpur’s bowlers picked up wickets in regular intervals and eventually restricted Chittagong at 167 for 8 in their stipulated 20 overs.

Yasir smashed six boundaries and three over boundaries before he fell to Mashrafe Mortaza.

Speedster Mashrafe was the pick of Rangpur bowler as he grabbed three Chittagong’s wickets conceding 34 runs. He was well supported by Farhad Reza who bagged two wickets giving away 29 runs.

With this win, Rangpur Riders secured ten points from nine matches while Chittagong Vikings, despite the day’s defeat, remained top of the table with 12 points from eight outings.