Rangpur move into 2nd qualifier

Sports Reporter :
Rangpur Riders moved into the second qualifier defeating Fortune Barishal by four wickets in a thrilling match of the eliminator phase of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Cricket at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Sunday. Barishal were eliminated from the BPL Cricket.
Chasing Barishal’s fighting total of 170 for the loss of three wickets in the stipulated 20 overs, Rangpur cruised into the victory spot making 172 for the loss of six wickets when they had just three balls to spare.
Rangpur had a poor start as opener Mohammad Naim (0) was dismissed by Shakib Al Hasan before Rangpur opened their account.
After Naim’s dismissal, Rony Talukdar and Shamim Hossain rescued their team from early debacle scoring together 61 runs in the second wicket stand before Rony was dismissed by Kamrul Islam when Rangpur’s total was 61 for the loss of two wickets.
After Rony’s departure, Shamim Hossain and Nurul Hasan added together 35 runs for the third wicket partnership before Nurul (18) was trapped leg before wicket by Shakib Al Hasan when Rangpur’s score was 96 for the loss of three wickets.
Shamim hit a terrific 71. His 51-ball innings saw four sixes and four fours. Shamim was adjudged the Man of the Match.
Rony made 29 from 17 deliveries including two fours and two sixes.
Later, Dasun Shanaka and Mahedi Hasan helped their team to reach the winning spot scoring together 21 runs in the unbroken seven-wicket stand.
Mahedi remained unbeaten with 18 runs, while Shanaka remained unbeaten with 15 runs.
Khaled Ahmed, Shakib Al Hasan and Kamrul Islam bagged two wickets each for 23, 27 and 33 runs respectively.
Barishal made a solid start as openers Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Andre Fletcher put on together 46 runs in the opening stand before Andre Fletcher (12) was dismissed by Rakibul Hasan.
After Fletcher’s dismissal, Miraz and Mahmudullah Riyad contributed together 69 runs for the second wicket partnership before Riyad was bowled out by Dasun Shanaka when Barishal’s score was 115 for the loss of two wickets.
After Riyad’s departure, Miraz was dismissed by Shanaka when Barishal’s score was 126 for the loss of three wickets.
Miraz hammered a splendid 69. His 48-ball innings was belted with nine fours and a sixer.
Miraz reached his 50-run landmark using 35 deliveries with seven fours and a sixer.
After Miraz’s dismissal, Karim Janat and Bhanuka Rajapaksa added together 44 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket partnership before Barishal’s innings came to an end.
Riyad hit a polished 34. His 21-ball knock was laced with four fours and a sixer.
Janat remained unbeaten with 33. His 25-ball innings saw three fours and a sixer.
Shanaka grabbed two wickets in the space of 23 runs, while Rakibul Hasan took one wicket conceding 32 runs.