BPL 2017, Match 9, Review: Rajshahi Kings make light work of Rangpur Riders, won the game by 8 wickets

Rajshahi Kings defeated Rangpur Riders comfortably by 8 wickets in a one-sided encounter and registered their first victory of the season. The second phase of the ongoing season of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) commenced in Dhaka at Shere Bangla National Stadium. However, every team is on the board now and the teams are looking to win more games as the tournament is going deep slowly day by day.

Riders skipper Mashrafe Mortaza won the toss and elected to bat first with a hope of posting a huge total. But Johnson Charles was snaffled early by Mehidy Hasan in the first over and so was Adam Lyth by Farhad Reza which rocked the batting side early. Ravi Bopara then tried to stabilise the innings but the innings never had momentum. Mohammad Mithun and Shahriar Nafees also tried their best to score some quick runs but the bowlers were too clever to their liking.

Bopara managed to score a fighting half-century which helped Rangpur Riders post 134 runs for the loss of five wickets in their stipulated 20 overs. The bowlers of the Kings were absolutely exceptional who kept the batsmen at bay. Reza led the attack with 2/28 and was very well supported by James Franklin and Mehidy who picked a wicket each. Kesrick Williams also scalped a wicket but he was a tad expensive.

Kings stroll home

The openers of Rajshahi Kings Lendl Simmons and Mominul Haque strode out to the middle and played some delightful strokes in the powerplay. They attacked the likes of Lasith Malinga and Mortaza and dashed their hopes of making a comeback with the ball. Both added 122 runs for the first in less than 16 overs and also completed their respective half-centuries in the process. While Simmons scored a sedate 53 off 50 deliveries, Mominul was more enterprising in his hitting which earned him an unbeaten 63 off 44 balls. He smashed 4 fours and three colossal maximums in his knock.

Kings chased down the total easily in the 17th over and won the match by eight wickets. Thisara Perera was the only bowler who took the wicket and he only affected the run-out of Simmons. But nobody supported him and were found wanting in front of the opposition openers. Rajshahi Kings jumped to the fourth place and their opponents after a huge loss have slipped to the sixth position. BPL is a fast-paced tournament and both the teams would look to win as many games as they can in the upcoming fixtures.

Brief Scores

Rangpur Riders 134/5 after 20 overs (R Bopara 54*; F Reza 2/28)

Rajshahi Kings 138/2 after 16.4 overs (M Haque 63*, L Simmons 53; T Perera 1/12)

Result: Rajshahi Kings won the match by 8 wickets

Man of the Match: Mominul Haque