Rajshahi in final of BPL Cricket

Sports Reporter :

Rajshahi Warriors reached the final of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Cricket defeating Sylhet Titans by 12 runs in the second Qualifier at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital’s Mirpur on Wednesday.

Sent into bat first, Rajshahi Warriors piled up a fighting total of 165 for the loss of nine wickets in the stipulated 20 overs and restricted Sylhet Titans to 153 for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs.

Sylhet faced an early debacle as they lost their early two wickets for seven runs. Then, opener Parvez Hossain Emon and second down Sam Billings mended the innings contributing together 69 runs for the third wicket partnership before Emon was run out by a joint-effort of Tanzim Hasan and James Neesham when Sylhet’s total was 76 for the loss of three wickets.

Emon notched up a superb 48. His 34-ball innings was studded with five fours and two sixes.
After Emon’s departure, Moeen Ali (7) was bowled out by Mohammad Rubel when Sylhet’s score was 95 for the loss of four wickets.

Sam Billings was dismissed by Abdul Gaffar Saqlain when Sylhet’s total was 107 for the loss of five wickets.
Billings made 37 from 28 deliveries with three fours and a sixer.

After Sam’s departure, Afif Hossain (21) was caught & bowled by Tanzim Hasan when Sylhet’s total was 126 for the loss of six wickets.

Miraz (9) was dismissed by Binura Fernando when Sylhet’s score was 132 for the loss of seven wickets.
Khaled Ahmed (4) was dismissed by Binura Fernando when Sylhet’s total was 137 for the loss of eight wickets.
Later, the rest of the Sylhet batters failed to chase the Rajshahi’s total.

Binura Fernando captured four wickets in the space of 19 runs. Binura Fernando was adjudged the Player of the Match.

Abdul Gaffar, Tanzim Hasan and Mohammad Rubel took one wicket each conceding 19, 33 and 33 runs respectively.

Rajshahi had a good start with two openers Sahibzada Farhan and Tanzid Hasan put on together 41 runs before Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed by Salman Irshad.

Tanzid Hasan was dismissed by Nasum Ahmed when Rajshahi’s total was 62 for the loss of two wickets.

After Tanzid’s dismissal, Kane Williamson and James Neesham built a worthy partnership scoring together 78 runs in the sixth wicket stand before Neesham was dismissed by Chris Woakes when Rajshahi’s total was 157 for the loss of six wickets.

Kane Williamson remained unbeaten with 45 runs. His 38-ball innings was belted with two sixes and a four.
Neesham hit a quick-fire 44. His 26-ball knock was ornamented with four fours and two sixes.

Salman Irshad grabbed three wickets in the space of 23 runs, while Nasum Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz bagged a pair of wickets each instead of 20 and 23 runs.
Chris Woakes took one wicket for 38 runs.