Sports Reporter :
Mohammad Naim’s marvelous century guided Khulna Tigers to post a big 46-run victory over Rangpur Riders in their match of Dutch-Bangla Bank Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Cricket at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital’s Mirpur on Thursday.
Mohammad Naim hammered a hurricane 111. His 62-ball innings was ornamented with eight sixes and seven fours. Besides, he took three catches of the batters of Rangpur Riders. Naim was adjudged the Man of the Match for his match-winning performance.
Khulna Tigers bagged 10 points from 11 matches, while Rangpur Riders collected 16 points from 12 matches.
Electing to bat first, Khulna Tigers piled up a mammoth total of 220 for the loss of four wickets in the stipulated 20 overs and then restricted Rangpur Riders to 174 for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs.
Khulna Tigers made a good start with two openers Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mohammad Naim put on together 32 runs in the opening stand before Miraz was caught Akif Javed off Mahedi Hasan.
Miraz made 21 from 12 deliveries featuring three sixes and one four.
After Miraz’s departure, Naim and Alex Ross scored together 28 runs for the second wicket partnership before Alex (12) was run out by a joint-effort of Mahedi Hasan and Nurul Hasan when Khulna’s total was 60 for the loss of two wickets.
After Alex’s dismissal, Mohammad Naim and William Bosisto contributed together 88 runs in the third wicket stand before Bosisto was caught by Mohammad Saifuddin off Akif Javed when Khulna’s score was 148 for the loss of three wickets.
Bosisto hit a fine 36. His 21-ball innings was studded with two sixes and three fours.
After Bosisto’s departure, Naim and Mahidul Islam Ankon added together 70 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Ankon (29) was caught by Soumya Sarkar off Iftikhar Ahmed when Khulna’s total was 218 for the loss of four wickets.
Ancon scored 29 from 15 deliveries including three fours and a sixer.
Akif Javed, Iftikhar Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan picked up one wicket each conceding 31, 39 and 46 runs respectively.
Rangpur lost their early two wickets for 36 runs.
Later, opener Soumya Sarkar of Rangpur Riders restored some parity for his team hitting a terrific 74. His 48-ball torpedo innings was belted with five sixes and six fours.
Musfik Hasan, Mohammad Nawaz, Nasum Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud played the key role to restrict Rangpur Riders.
Musfik Hasan claimed three wickets in the space of 24 runs, while Mohammad Nawaz captured two wickets instead of eight runs.
Nasum Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud picked up one wicket each for 18 and 20 runs respectively.
