Dhaka – Khulna Titans skipper Mahmudullah Riyad’s three-wicket haul in the innings last over helped his side resurgent for a 4-run victory over Chittagong Vikings in their 3rd tussle of the 4th Bangladesh Premier League T20 at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday.Vikings needed run-a-ball six to win having four-wicket in hand when Mahmudullah decided to deliver the last over. He gave one run in the 1st ball of the last over, but got his form to claim three wickets — Chaturanga de Silva, Abdur Razzak and Mohammad Nabi — conceding no more run in his last five balls that forced Vikings to finish at 123/ 9 in 20 overs.This is the 2nd time Mahmudullah snatched victory in a dramatic-way in the seven-team franchised tournament, after a 3-run win in a last ball thriller against Rajshahi Kings in their first match where Mahmudullah dismissed last wicket Nazmul Islam. Darren Sammy-led Kings required 4 runs off last 1 ball to reach their target of 134 that was denied by Titans skipper Mahmudullah, who was adjudged man of the match for the 2nd time for winning side due to his dazzling performance,UNB News Agency Reported.After the day’s result, Titans collected four points from three matches having a massive 9 wickets loss against the table topper Rangpur Riders in the 2nd match.Ctg Vikings were setback with the 2nd successive defeats, following a massive 9-wicket defeat also by Rangpur Riders in the 2nd match. They ensured a flying start with a 29-run win over defending champion Comilla Victorians in the first match. After the day’s loss Vikings earned two points from three matches.In the day’s match, Vikings reached close to their target riding on
the 7th pair contribution of 45 off 4.1 overs between Afghan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi and Chaturanga de Silva that started from 78/6 in 15.1 overs to finish at 123/7 in 19.2 overs as PC de Silva was caught by Nicholas Pooran.Nabi stayed for top-scoring 39 off 23 balls, including two boundaries and two sixes while Jahurul Islam, PC de Silva and Anamul Haque added 25, 19 and 14 runs respectively.Pace bowler Shafiul Islam claimed four wickets for 28 runs in four overs while Mahmudullah conceded 24 for three in three overs.Kevon Cooper made the first breakthrough in the Vikings batting line dismissing opener-cum-skipper Tamim Iqbal (3), was caught by Shafiul Islam, at 9/1 in 2.2 overs. Cooper bagged two wickets for 17 runs in four overs.Earlier, sent into bat first, Titans played stipulated 20 overs for their collection of 127 for 7 wickets, spurred by the 6th pair contribution of 48 runs in 6 overs between Nicholas Pooran and Ariful Haque.The 6th pair started from 77/5 in 13.3 overs that ended up at 125/6 in 19.3 overs as Pooran was run out after scoring the team highest 29
off 30 balls with one over-boundary.Ariful Haque played till the end to score unbeaten 25 off 16,including one boundary and two sixes, while opener Riki Wessels (28 off 17b; 4×4) and Alok Kapali (23 off 35b; 1×4) were the other double figure scorers for the Titans.Titans started with a good note as their opening pair between Wessels and Hasanuzzaman contributed 38 in 3.1 overs, before Hasanuzzaman was caught by Jahurul Islam off Afghan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi’s bowling who made the first breakthrough in the Titans batting castle.
Nabi captured three wickets — Hasanuzzaman, Shuvagata Hom and Alok Kapali — for 22 runs four overs while pacer Taskin Ahmed bagged two –Mahmudullah and Kevon Cooper — for 17 runs in three overs.Country’s veteran spinner Abdur Razzak took one wicket for 23 runs in four overs bowling out the 3rd wicket Wessels who opened the innings
to depart at 42/3 in 5.1 overs.Hasanuzzaman of Khulna Titans made his Twenty20 debut in the match.
