Published: Dec 03, 2016, 08:59 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 03, 2016, 09:16 PM (IST)
Rajshahi Kings notched up their sixth win of the season as they defeated Chittagong Vikings in the 40th game of the Bangladesh Premier League 2016-17 on Saturday. James Franklin played an emphatic knock and steered his side to victory while chasing a modest target of 112. Franklin weathered the early storm and carried his team over the line with his unbeaten knock of 63, which contained five boundaries and four sixes. Rajshahi Kings won the low-scoring encounter by six wickets and now have 12 points to their name. Rajshahi Kings got off to a good start as both their openers looked in good touch and were in mood in wasting time in the run-chase. But Saqlain Sajib gave his team some hope after getting rid of the openers in two consecutive overs. Nurul Hasan was out for 12 while Mominul Haque was dismissed for 21.
Sabbir Rahman’s once again failed to make an impact and was out for eight whereas Darren Sammy met a similar fate as he was dismissed for three. Franklin played a match-winning knock while Samit Patel remained unconquered at the other end for three. Rajshahi Kings won the toss and elected to field first, they made the most of the new ball as their bowlers chipped early wickets and never let the momentum drift away. Kesrick Williams drew the first blood in the form of Tamim Iqbal in the very first over.
Full Cricket Updates, Chittagong Vikings vs Rajshahi Kings, Match 40, BPL 2016 at Mirpur
Mehedi Hasan didn’t let his team down as he scalped a wicket first over and sent Anamul Haque back to the pavilion. Afif Hossain was the pick of the bowlers as he made deep in roads into the Vikings batting line-up by picking key wickets. He first got the better of Jaharul Islam for 13 after which Chris Gayle was undone for a score of five. Zakir Hasan Vikings at one stage were precariously placed at 37 for the loss of five wickets inside nine overs.
Shoaib Malik played a brilliant knock and weathered the storm with his unbeaten 67. Mohammad Nabi got a good start but was dismissed for 1. Hossain finished with a fifer and broke the backbone of Vikings with his wily bowling.
Brief Score:
Chittagong Vikings 111 for 9 in 20 overs (Shoaib Malik 67*, Jahurul Islam 13; Afif Hossain 5 for 20) lost to Rajshahi Kings 112 for 4 in 13.5 overs (James Franklin 63*, Mominul Haque 21; Saqlain Sajib 2 for 9) by six wickets.
