Ronchi, Taskin propel Chittagong

Chittagong Vikings defeated Rangpur Riders by 11 runs in their BPL 2017 match at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium Wednesday. Rangpur were going along nicely while chasing 167 as they were batting on 105 for the loss of three wickets after 12 overs with two set batsmen - Shahriar Nafees and Ravi Bopara - at the crease. But Chittagong pacer Taskin Ahmed bowled a brilliant 13th over, picking up two wickets off successive deliveries before catching Bopara short of the crease in the last ball of the over. First, Shahriar was cleaned up by a yorker, then Afghanistan recruit Samiullah Shenwari was caught at mid-wicket. Finally, Taskin affected a brilliant run-out to dismiss highest scorer Bopara (38 off 32 balls). And so, three wickets in that over made the chase difficult for Rangpur and eventually, they were restricted to 155/8. Taskin also took the wicket of Sri Lankan Thisara Pererra in his next over to finish with bowling figure of 3/31.Earlier, Rangpur captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza won the toss and elected to field. Rangpur made two changes from their previous match with England’s Adam Lyth and pacer Rubel Hossain making way for Shenwari and all-rounder Ziaur Rahman. On the other hand, Chittagong brought in leg-spinner Tanbir Hayder in place of spinner Sohrawardi Shuvo. Chittagong openers Luke Ronchi and Soumya Sarkar gave their side a dream start. Credit goes to Ronchi solely as the wicketkeeper-batsman played some blistering shots in the first three overs as Chittagong had already scored 50 by that time. Among those 50 runs, Ronchi’s contribution was 48 while Soumya scored just two. Ronchi grabbed his fifty in 19 balls and continued to score freely after reaching his milestone. Mashrafe brought the first success for Rangpur as he got the wicket of Soumya (seven off seven balls) in the fifth over.But as soon as Ronchi got out after scoring 78 of 35 balls in the ninth over, Chittagong lost the plot and their brisk run rate slowed down gradually. Ronchi smashed seven fours and as many sixes in his brilliant innings. The Rangpur bowlers did not give any opportunity to the Chittagong batsmen to free their arms and score freely. Chittagong only managed to score 66 in their last 10 overs and eventually managed 166/4. Chittagong captain Misbah-ul-Haq remained unbeaten on 31 off 32 balls while No 6 batsman Anamul Haque was the other not out batsman with 17 off 14 deliveries. Bopara took two wickets conceding 14 runs while Mashrafe picked up one.BRIEF SCORERangpur Riders 155/8 (Bopara 38, Taskin 3/31) lost to Chittagong Vikings 166/4 (Ronchi 78, Misbah 31) by 11 runs WHAT THEY SAIDRangpur Riders captain Mashrafe bin MortazaRavi Bopara’s wicket was crucial for us. Thisara Perera’s wicket was also a big blow for us. I think we lost because of our batting in the middle part. [Samiullah] Shenwari’s out was also a turning point. Taskin [Ahmed] bowled a brilliant over for Chittagong. We had to bat with a more calm approach when the asking rate was seven-eight runs per over. We promoted Ziaur [Rahman] at the top. But unfortunately he got out after hitting a six and a four. In fact, most of our batsmen got out after getting set. That was a major setback.Chittagong Vikings pacer Taskin AhmedThanks to the Almighty that I have performed well. The six matches in South Africa was not upto the mark at all for me. I was morally down after the first game (in the BPL). But I did not lose hope. I practised hard. Actually I have learnt from my mistakes after the South Africa tour. I believe it is a good comeback for me. I have no regrets for missing a hat-trick. We won the match, that’s the most important matter to me. I think I have played some part in my team’s win. And that’s the most satisfying matter for me.