ZCZC
BSP-14
CRICKET-RANGERS-BBPL-WIN
Mustafizur, Delport leads rampant Rangpur to crushing win over Sylhet
DHAKA, Dec 30, 2019 (BSS) – An incredible bowling of Mustafizur Rahman was
well complemented by Cameron Delport’s whirlwind knock as Rangpur Rangers
stayed alive in the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BBPL), crushing
Sylhet Thunder by seven wickets at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
here today.
Rangpur’s second victory in seventh match mathematically kept their
chances to seal play-off berth alive but Sylhet crashed out following their
seventh defeat in eight matches in the tournament.
With their back against the wall, Rangpur stressed to begin the tournament
afresh and they showed the guts and determination to really start the
tournament a new.
Mustafizur Rahman, whose performance was severely criticized finally
discovered the old Mustafizur in himself as he led the bowling attack
impeccably after his captain Shane Watson sent Sylhet to bat. Mustafizur
finished with 3-10 in four overs to help the side restrict Sylhet to 133-9, a
below par total, which Cameron Delport made even smaller by hitting a 28
ball-63, with six fours and five sixes. Thanks to his marauding knock,
Rangpur gunned down the total with ease, cantering to the victory in just
17.2 overs.
Their start to the chase was disappointing one with captain Watson being
out for 1, leaving the side 5-1. But it mattered little as Delport combined
for a 99-run with Mohammad Naim for the second wicket stand to take the side
closer to victory. While Naim was slow to respond Sylhet’s bowling, Delport
smashed everything that came to his way and thereby covered Naim’s slower
knock.
Sylhet’s Afghanistan recruit Naveen-ul-Haq dismissed Delport to break the
partnership but Naim, with the support of Mohammad Nabi sailed the side home
without further fuss. Naim was not out on 38 off 50, hitting two fours and as
many sixes while Nabi was unbeaten on 12 ball-18.
Naveen-ul-Haq claimed 2-13 while Ebadot Hossain took the other fallen
wicket.
Earlier, Mustafizur stifled Sylhet for runs when his other colleagues were
not so up to the mark. The Fizz, as he is adorably called, checked the
flamboyance of Sylhet batsmen to create pressure which gave the other bowlers
an advantage to claim wicket. Mustafizur then later dazzled with cherry again
during the death overs to dismiss Sylhet’s hope of making a reasonable total.
Amid Mustafizur’s threatening bowling, Mohammad Mithun stood tall to keep
the side flowing. Mithun was the highest scorer for the side with 47 ball-62,
hitting four fours and two sixes.
No other batsmen even could score 20 plus runs. The second highest score
came from the willow of Sherfane Rutherford who made 16. Captain Mosaddek
Hossain Saikat scored 16 while Sohag Gazi contributed 12.
Arafat Sunny, Mukidul Islam Mugdho, Lewis Gregory and Mohammad Nabi took
one wicket apiece.
BSS/SMP/ARS/1741 hrs