Rangpur Riders got their Bangladesh Premier League campaign off to a great start with a comprehensive 40-run victory over Dhaka Capitals, riding on a superb all-round show from Pakistani recruit Khushdil Shah, at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur Monday.
Khushdil first smashed an unbeaten 23-ball 46 with three fours and as many sixes to steer the side to a competitive 191/6 before claiming 2/15 to restrict Dhaka to 151/9.
Off-spinner Mahedi Hasan with 4/27 also played an equally important role in the victory of Rangpur, considered among the favorites to win the title.
Iftikhar Ahmed made team-best 49 for Rangpur after they were asked to bat first.
Rangpur lost openers Steven Taylor (14) and Alex Hales (five) early before Iftikhar and Saif Hasan combined for an 89-run stand for the third wicket to lay a solid platform.
Saif, who struck two fours and as many sixes, was dismissed by Alauddin Babu, giving Dhaka a glimmer of hope of restricting Rangpur to a moderate total.
Babu, the highest wicket-taker of the recently concluded National Cricket League Twenty20, further bolstered their hopes by removing Iftikhar, who belted eight fours in his 38-ball knock.
But Khushdil used the platform to good effect, steering Rangpur to a total that proved to be a winning one at the end.
He got support from captain Nurul Hasan who made 11-ball 25.
Babu bagged 3/43 for the capital city outfit while fast bowler Mukidul Islam Mugdho ended with 2/27.
Dhaka were off to a strong reply through openers Tanzid Hasan and Liton Das as the duo put on 65 to raise hopes of overhauling the big target.
But Mahedi sparked a collapse by taking wickets in clusters.
He took two wickets each in two overs to leave Dhaka 75/4 in 9.5 overs from 65/0 in 7.2 overs.
Liton’s 31 was the best for his side while Tanzid made 30.
Khushdil then appeared in the stage to further derail Dhaka, helping Rangpur to an easy victory which they had expected after putting up a strong batting show.
2ND MATCH
Rangpur Riders 191/6 (Iftikhar 49, Khushdil 46, Alauddin 3/43) beat Dhaka Capitals 151/9 (Liton 31, Tanzid 30, Mahedi 4/27) by 40 runs
