Khulna at the BPL summit after edging Chittagong

Khulna Titans defeated Rangpur Riders by nine runs in a clash of the BPL 2017 heavyweights at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium Friday. Khulna are now at the top of the points table with 11 points from eight matches, including five wins. Chasing 159, Rangpur formed a solid 100-run partnership for the fifth wicket, courtesy England’s Ravi Bopara and all-rounder Nahidul Islam but were eventually restricted to 149 for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs through some controlled bowling from the Khulna bowlers at the late stage of the game. Khulna youngster Afif Hossain gave a brilliant start to his team as he removed the swashbuckling Kiwi Brendon McCullum (two) in the second over of the innings. Soon, in-form pacer Abu Jayed took the wicket of another dangerous batsman Chris Gayle (16 off nine balls) of the West Indies in the third over as Khulna were on top.Within eight overs Rangpur lost four wickets for 45 and the asking run rate kept on climbing each over. But then Bopara and Nahidul stitched together a brilliant 100-run stand to take Rangpur close to their target. At one stage, Rangpur needed 44 from 24 deliveries with two well-set batsmen Bopara and Nahidul at the crease. But Khulna bounced back well as the West Indies’ Jofra Archer and Pakistan’s Junaid Khan bowled a tight line and length in the remaining four overs to defend the target successfully. Bopara scored 59 off 44 balls while Nahidul made 58 off 43 balls. Afif took two wickets while Jayed and Junaid bagged one apiece.Earlier, Khulna were asked to bat first. The start was not upto the mark for the Titans as they lost three wickets within 6.3 overs, despite scoring quickly at the start of their innings. But skipper Mahmudullah once again played a captain’s knock and took his team to a good position before being caught brilliantly at the deep mid wicket boundary by Nahidul. Mahmudullah scored 59 off 36 balls with half a dozen fours and two sixes. With that innings, Mahmudullah became the highest run-scorer in the history of the BPL with 1336 runs in 54 innings so far. Wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim is second in the list with 1292 runs in 49 innings. Khulna eventually managed to post 158 losing eight wickets in their stipulated 20 overs.Seamer Rubel Hossain took three wickets for Rangpur conceding 35 runs. Rangpur are now fifth in the points table with six points from seven matches.BRIEF SCORERangpur Riders 149/6 (Bopara 59, Afif 2/4) lost to Khulna Titans 158/8 (Mahmudullah 59, Rubel 3/35) by nine runs WHAT THEY SAIDMahmudullah, Khulna Titans captainIt is important to win close matches like this. Ariful [Haque] played a brilliant innings in the last match and won the game for us. Junaid [Khan] and Jofra [Archer] bowled brilliantly at the end to clinch the win. Rangpur have a very attacking top-order. But we had belief we could defend 158. We managed to take four quick wickets. But we did not bowl well in the middle part of the innings. It’s a little bit frustrating. We should have done better during that time. But spinners performed well. Particularly Afif [Hossain] and Tanvir [Islam] bowled well.  So overall, I am felling good as captain as we won an important match.Nahidul Islam, Rangpur Riders all-rounderWe did not lose hope despite losing four early wickets. Then Ravi [Bopara] and myself formed a good stand for the fifth wicket. After the partnership we thought we could chase down the target. But Khulna bowlers bowled well in the last few overs. We were not able to bat according to our plan. We have no other option but to win [Friday’s] match against Chittagong Vikings. The opponent are obviously strong. We will try to win the match with our full strength. We have good foreign players in our side. They are always helpful to local players.