ZCZC
BSP-15
CRICKET-BPL-RANGPUR
Rangpur blow away Chittagong
CHATTOGRAM, Jan 25, 2019 (BSS) – Opener Alex Hales and Rilee Rossouw hammered a
brilliant centuries as defending Champions Rangpur Riders registered an emphatic 72-run
victory over Chittagong Vikings in the 30th match of the Bangladesh Premier League T20
held on Friday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
The duo raised a storm as the Chittagong bowlers were helpless in front of their
merciless batting after the defending champions amassed a record total of 239 for 4 on
the board against Chittagong Vikings — the highest total by a side in the BPL from
their allotted 20 overs after they were forced to bat first by Chittagong Vikings.
The English batsman Hales blazed with 48-ball off 100-run during a 174-run
partnership with Rossouw – the third highest partnership in BPL history, hitting 11
boundaries and five over boundaries.
Hales eventually fell to Sikandar Raza but the South African recruit Rossouw
continued his onslaught, picking up his ton from 51 deliveries that contained eight
fours and six sixes, after Rangpur Riders lost their opener Chris Gayle at six runs in
the score board.
Hales and Rossouw’s record-filled innings was the third time in T20s that two batsmen
have scored century in an innings while it was the first time happened in the history
of BPL.
Abu Jayed was the most successful bowler as he claimed two Rangpur’s wickets
conceding 25 runs.
In reply, Chittagong Vikings started their chase badly as the lost opener Mohammad
Shazad for 20 runs. Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (22) also failed to take the responsibility
leaving Chittagong in a deep trouble.
Yasir Ali, the top scorer of Chittagong’s innings, fought hard as he blasted 48-ball
off 78 runs but the target was behind him to chase the mammoth target as the Rangpur’s
bowlers picked up wickets in regular intervals and eventually restricted Chittagong at
167 for 8 in their stipulated 20 overs.
Yasir smashed six boundaries and three over boundaries before he fell to Mashrafe
Mortaza.
Speedster Mashrafe was the pick of Rangpur bowler as he grabbed three Chittagong’s
wickets conceding 34 runs. He was well supported by Farhad Reza who bagged two wickets
giving away 29 runs.
With this win, Rangpur Riders secured ten points from nine matches while Chittagong
Vikings, despite the day’s defeat, remained top of the table with 12 points from eight
outings.
BSS/SG/MRU/2315hrs