Nazmul steers Rangpur Riders to 4-wicket win

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CHITTAGONG, Nov 28, 2017 (BSS)- An all-round performance by Nazmul Islam enabled Rangpur Riders to register a four-wicket victory over Sylhet Sixers in the 31st match of AKS Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 held on Tuesday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium.

With this win, Rangpur Riders secured 10 points from nine matches while Sylhet Sixers remained at their previous credit of seven points from 10 matches.

Chasing Sylhet 173 runs, Rangpur Riders chase down the target making 177 for 6 with two balls to spare.

Rangpur lost their opener Chris Gayle for 5 in first over, but Brendon McCullum and Ziaur Rahman kept the momentum as the duo contributed 59-run for the second wicket stand to take Rangpur to a comfortable position.

The right-handed batsman McCullum scored 38-ball off 43-run laced with four boundaries and two over boundaries while Ziaur was rather aggressive with an 18-ball off 36 hitting five boundaries and two over boundaries.

Ravi Bopara (33) and Mohammad Mithun (18) contributed in the middle while Mashrafi Mortaza (17 n.o) and Nahidul Islam (14 n.o) ensured Rangpur’s fifth victory to remain unbeaten till the end of the innings.

Nabil Samad, Sohail Tanvir, Tim Bresnan and Abul Hasan shared one wicket for Sylhet.

Nazmul Islam of Rangpur Riders as named the player of the match for his fantastic bowling display.

Earlier, Babar Azam’ brillinbat half century and Sabbir Hossain’s polish knock steered Sylhet Sixers to put a competitive total of 173 for 5 from their allotted 20 overs, after Rangpur Riders skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Sylhet lost their opener Nurul Hasan early in the second over as he fell to Nazmul Islam’s delivery. In the fourth over Nazmul than sent back to Nasir Hossain, who was tempted to come down the wicket and the batsman completely missed the delivery and was out stumped.

Then Babar Azam and Sabbir Hossain took the responsibility to repair the early damage contributing 74-run fourth-wicket stand to give Sylhet momentum after Andre Fletcher fell in the eight over.

The Pakistani recruit smacked brilliant 37-ball 54 laced with four fours and one six. Babar was ably supported by Sabbir Rahman and they picked up 18 runs of the 12th over, bowled by Rubel Hossain.

Nazmul sent back to dangerous Babar Azam as his direct hit uprooted the stumps in the 15.4 overs. Nazmul also finished his bowling spells with an impressive figure of 3 for 18 from 4 overs.

Sabbir smashed a 37-ball 44 before Rangpur’s skipper Mashrafe sent him back in the 19th over.

Tim Bresnan (17 n.o) and Ross Whiteley (16 n.o) played cameo knocks which helped Sylhet to put a competitive target in front of Rangpur.