Sports Reporter :
Khulna Tigers stormed into the 2nd Qualifier phase of the Dutch-Bangla Bank Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Cricket after thrashing Rangpur Riders by nine wickets in their match of Eliminator phase at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital’s Mirpur on Monday. By virtue of yesterday’s defeat, Rangpur Riders were eliminated from the BPL Cricket.
Chasing Rangpur’s paltry total of 85 off 16.5 overs, Khulna Tigers romped home making 89 for the loss of one wicket when they had 58 balls to spare.
Khulna had a sorrow start as opener Mehidy Hasan Miraz (0) was bowled out by Akif Javed when Khulna’s total was only two runs.
After Miraz’s dismissal, one-down Mohammad Naim and second-down Alex Ross powered their team to anchor the victory target scoring together 87 runs for the unbroken second wicket partnership.
Mohammad Naim remained unbeaten with 48 runs. His 33-ball innings was studded with four sixes and three fours.
Alex Ross remained unbeaten with 29 runs. His 27-ball knock was laced with four fours.
12 runs were added to the Khulna Tigers’ total.
Akif Javed picked up one wicket conceding 20 runs.
Earlier, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Nasum Ahmed of Khulna Tigers played the key role in demolishing Rangpur’s innings with a good support of Musfik Hasan, Hasan Mahmud and Mohammad Nawaz.
Nasum captured three wickets instead of 16 runs. Nasum Ahmed was adjudged the Man of the Match. Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed three wickets in the space of 10 runs.
Musfik Hasan, Hasan Mahmud and Mohammad Nawaz took one wicket each giving eight, 18 and 21 runs respectively.
Rangpur Riders lost their wickets in regular intervals.
Eighth-down Akif Javed and fourth-down Nurul Hasan were the only two batters of Rangpur Riders who could reach the double digit figures.
Akif Javed hit a quick-fire 32. His 18-ball innings was ornamented with four fours and two sixes.
Nurul Hasan made 23 from 25 deliveries featuring two fours.
