Rangpur Riders eased past Fortune Barishal by eight wickets in the first big match of the 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur Thursday.
This was Rangpur's third victory in row after beating Dhaka Capitals and Sylhet Strikers by 40 and 34 runs respectively in the first two matches.
A 113-run partnership between Saif Hasan and Alex Hales for the unbroken third wicket powered them to a facile victory as they chased down Barishal's meager 124 all out in 18.2 overs by amassing 128/2 in just 15 overs.
Saif was not out on 62 after hitting six fours and three sixes in 46 balls while Hales, who signed off the game with a maximum, was on 49 off 41, an innings laced with four fours and three sixes.
Saif joined Hales after Rangpur were at a perilous 15/2 following the departures of Azizul Hakim Tamim and Tawfique Khan, who both bagged ducks.
Iqbal Hossain Emon removed these two batters in three balls to give defending champions Barishal a glimmer of hope but Saif and Hales batted with caution and aggression to dent their hopes eventually.
The platform was set by the bowlers who bowled well in tandem to deny Barishal from piling up a big total after they were asked to bat first.
Fast bowler Nahid Rana snared 2/32 while Pakistani recruit Khushdil Shah ended up with 3/18.
Barishal skipper Tamim Iqbal made team-high 28 before Nahid rattled his stumps with a searing yorker.
Mahedi Hasan jolted Barishal first, having claimed the wicket of Nazmul Hossain Shanto (nine).
The situation for the holders further worsened when Akif Javed got the better of Towhid Hridoy (four).
Mahmudullah (10) was the last hope for Barishal to steady the innings but Nahid got rid of him with his raw pace.
Iftikhar Ahmed, who bagged 2/10, and Khushdil then got into the act to leave Barishal in tatters.
Mohammad Nabi made 19-ball 21 to help Barishal get past 100 but on a batting-friendly wicket, it proved to be inadequate.
It was Barishal's first defeat in their second game.
In the first match they beat Durbar Rajshahi by four wickets in a high-scoring game.
6TH MATCH
Fortune Barishal 124 in 18.2 overs (Tamim 28, Khushdil 3/18) lost to Rangpur Riders 128/2 in 15 overs (Saif 62, Hales 49*) by 8 wickets