Published: Nov 11, 2017, 05:42 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 11, 2017, 05:42 PM (IST)
Farhad Reza’s impressive bowling coupled with fifties from Mominul Haque and Lendl Simmons helped Rajshahi Kings earn their first win of BPL 2017-18. It was Rangpur Riders‘ second successive loss. Rangpur, however, were the first team to opt to bat this season. However, their batsmen struggled to find runs on a two-paced pitch.
Rajshahi’s Reza was on top since the first over that turned out to be a rather dramatic one. The first ball was sent to boundary. It was followed by a dropped catch of Mohammad Mithun. However, Reza got lucky dismissing Mithun and Adam Lyth next few deliveries. He was complimented well by spinner Mehedi Hasan (1 for 19). Rangpur Riders, who were reduced to 33 for 3, saw Ravi Bopara lifting the team from ruins with a fluent fifty. Bopara also stitched a fourth-wicket partnership of 49 with Shahriar Nafees in 9 overs.
Nafees fell for 31-ball 23, but Bopara went on to notch up his fifty and set a target of 135. In reply, Mominul and Simmons (playing his first match of the season) added 122 runs for the opening stand. They ensured the chase was achieved without much hassle.
Eventually, Simmons and Malcolm Waller fell in the 16th over. However, it was Rony Talukdar who sealed the win with a boundary and won by 8 wickets with 20 balls to spare.
Brief scores:
Rangpur Riders 134 for 5 (Ravi Bopara 54*, Shahriar Nafees 23*; Farhad Reza 2 for 28) lose to Rajshahi Kings 138 for 2 (Lendl Simmons 53, Mominul Haque 63; Thisara Perera 1 for 12) by 8 wickets
