Dhaka — Khulna Tigers registered a stunning win over Chattogram Challengers in their first match of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Thursday.
The Tigers captain Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and opted to bowl first and restricted Challengers to 144 runs for six wickets in 20 overs.In reply, Tigers scored 146 for 2 in 13.5 overs to win the match by eight wickets.
Tigers’ Afghan recruit Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit an 18-ball fifty with four fours and five sixes to lead the team to the maiden victory. South African Rilee Rossouw was also in a good form in the game as he struck unbeaten 64 off 38 balls with seven fours and two sixes to ensure the win.
Captain Mushfiqur was also unbeaten on 28 off 22 with four fours.Nasum Ahmed and Muktar Ali took one wicket each for the Challengers.
Earlier, a 14-ball 29 by Muktar Ali led the Challengers to 144 runs. Despite having a good start, Challengers failed to capitalize on this.
Lendl Simmons and Chadwick Walton added 45 runs in the opening stand. But in a span of four runs, both them were sent to the dressing room. The onus was on Imrul Kayes to carry on the good run, but the southpaw disappointed to continue on good form. He hit a fifty in the first game but this time around, he just scored 12 off 14 deliveries.
Nasir Hossain and Nurul Hasan Shohan posted 24 and 19 respectively, but their efforts were not enough to put up a big score.Robbie Frylinck, Shafiul Islam, Shahidul Islam and Aminul Islam took one wicket each for the Tigers.
