ZCZC
BSP-17
CRICKET-ROSSOUW-BBPL-KT
Khulna in quest of momentum after being humbled by Chattogram
SYLEHT, Jan 4, 2020 (BSS) – Khulna Tigers South African recruit Rilee
Rossouw said that the team needs a couple of victories to get the momentum
back in the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BBPL).
Khulna won three matches in a row, but lost their momentum after winning
just two in the last six matches, last of which came against Chattogram
Challengers today at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Put into bat first, Khulna could manage just 121 before being all out in
19.5 overs. They were undone by Mehedi Hasan Rana and Rubel Hossain who swung
the ball admirably in the helpful wicket.
“It was a tough wicket to bat on and there was uneven bounce…..one ball
was carrying while other kept low. Their bowlers bowled well and used the
early moisture of the wicket nicely. They pushed us to the back foot,”
Rossouw said here today.
“We thought 140/150 runs would be nice on this wicket, but we couldn’t do
that but I am looking for the positive. We are at the business end of the
tournament and couple of wins gave us the momentum to play the play-off.”
Rossouw, however, refused to blame the wicket for their defeat.
“It’s disappointing but you are going to get this challenge in
Bangladesh.. it’s not the most entertaining game to watch but we know in the
past it was a very beautiful wicket to bat on and very entertaining wicket
but unfortunately, it was one of the days. It wasn’t fantastic to bat on but
it was good enough to score which we did not,” he added.
Despite the defeat, Khulna, however, is still in the favourable position
to seal the play-off as they have 10 points in nine matches, which kept them
in the fourth position of the point table.
“It’s always going to be difficult if you lose wickets initially. I think
out batting has let us down in the last couple of matches and that included
myself. It’s about putting your hands up for the team when needed. We do not
expect 8 or 9 to bat in this tough wicket,” he remarked.
Rossouw believes Khulna has the capability to turn the things around given
the experience they have got in their team.
‘We have got lot of experience in our team. If couple of senior players
put their hands up, it would be easier for us,” he said.
BSS/SMP/RY/19:25 hrs