Cumilla Warriors opener Dawid Malan’s swashbuckling century went in vain, as they lost to Rajshahi Royals by seven wickets in their Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 match at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong Tuesday.
Malan, ranked third in the ICC ranking for T20I batsmen, finished not out on 100 to help his side post 170/8, before Rajshahi reached 171/3 in 17.5 overs thanks to a brilliant half-century from Afif Hossain, as well as a late surge from Ravi Bopara and Andre Russell.
After losing the toss, the Warriors were sent in to bat first.
The innings was a saga of both ecstasy and agony, as English opener Malan hit nine fours and five sixes in a 54-ball whirlwind, while the other batsmen collapsed around him.
Russell, Mohammad Irfan and Abu Jayed got two wickets each for the Royals.
Cumilla's Malan goes big Dhaka Tribune/Md Manik
The Royals, who had also won while chasing the previous night, made another good start as openers Afif and Liton Das posted 60 before the latter was dismissed for 27 in the seventh over.
One-down Shoaib Malik got out for just one, but English batsman Ravi Bopara and Afif formed another nice partnership of 62 for the third wicket.
Afif, who was adjudged joint man of the match with Malan, scored 76 off just 53 balls before getting dismissed.
Bopara ended not out on 41, while skipper Russell (20 off seven) finished off the chase with some stylish boundaries.
20TH MATCH, CWvRR
CUMILLA WARRIORS INNINGS R B
Rajapaksa lbw b Afif 10 8
Malan not out 100 54
Sabbir b Russell 5 6
Soumya c Kapali b Bopara 20 22
Shanaka c Irfan b Jayed 11 12
Yasir c Russell b Jayed 0 3
Mahidul c Malik b Russell 4 7
Robiul b Irfan 5 4
Sumon lbw b Irfan 0 1
Mujeeb not out 2 4
Extras (lb 7, nb 1, w 5) 13
Total (20 Overs) 170/8
Fall Of Wickets
1-26 (Rajapaksa), 2-52 (Sabbir), 3-102 (Soumya), 4-126 (Shanaka), 5-126 (Yasir), 6-147 (Mahidul), 7-159 (Robiul), 8-159 (Sumon)
Bowling
Russell 4-0-26-2, Irfan 4-0-23-2, Afif 3-0-23-1, Kamrul 1-0-13-0 Nahidul 1-0-13-0, Malik 1-0-10-0, Kapali 1-0-12-0, Bopara 3-0-19-1, Jayed 2-0-24-2
RAJSHAHI ROYALS INNINGS R B
Liton b Mujeeb 27 19
Afif c Malan b Al-Amin 76 53
Malik c Rajapaksa b Al-Amin 1 5
Bopara not out 41 23
Russell not out 20 7
Extras (lb 5, w 1) 6
Total (17.5 Overs) 171/3
Fall Of Wickets
1-60 (Liton), 2-70 (Malik), 3-132 (Afif)
Bowling
Mujeeb 4-1-17-1, Sumon 3-0-38-0, Al-Amin 3.5-0-49-2, Shanaka 3-0-24-0, Robiul 3-0-24-0, Soumya 1-0-14-0
Rajshahi Royals won by seven wickets
MoM: Afif Hossain (RR), Dawid Malan (CW)
