BPL 2019-20: Match 41, Review- Liton Das and Shoaib Malik seal Rajshahi Royals’ Qualifier 1 spot

Rajshahi Royals have become the first team of the Qualifier 1 in the ongoing Bangabandhu BPL 2019-20. The Andre Russell-led unit beat the Chattogram Challengers by eight wickets at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. For the Challengers, they are most likely to play the Eliminator. For them to end in the top two, the game between Dhaka Platoon and Khulna Tigers can’t have a winner.

Mahmudullah rescues the Challengers

The Challengers didn’t make the most auspicious starts as they managed 38 runs in the powerplay, though without losing wicket. Shoaib Malik removed Junaid Siddiqui (23) in the seventh over to strike first blood. Chris Gayle hit two sixes and a four, but could only score 2. In the quest to take Afif Hossain to the cleaners, he perished. Abu Jayed castled Chadwick Walton to exert more pressure.

From there on, Mahmudullah (48*) and Nurul Hasan Sohan (30) upped the ante. The duo put on 38 runs in 25 balls before Mohammad Irfan accounted for Hasan’s wicket in the penultimate over. In the last three overs, the Challengers racked up 45 runs and got themselves up to 155 in 20 overs. Mahmudullah stayed unbeaten, having smashed three sixes and a couple of fours in his innings.

Liton Das rips apart Challengers

The Royals openers took the Chattogram bowling by the scruff of its neck from the outset. Liton Das (75) and Afif Hossain (32) played their strokes freely and put on 60 runs in the powerplay. The onslaught brought the required rate below seven runs per over. Nasum Ahmed gave the Challengers their first wicket. The left-arm spinner induced a false stroke off Afif and broke the 88-run stand.

Liton carried on and got to his fifty off 29 balls. Ziaur Rahman eventually nipped him out, but by then the Royals needed 18 runs off 26 deliveries. Shoaib Malik managed to recover from a mini rough patch. The veteran scored 43 off 25 balls with the help of three fours and two sixes. The Tigers comfortably chased down the target with 14 balls to spare and also moved to the top of the table.

Brief Scores

Chattogram Challengers: 155/5 in 20 overs (Mahmudullah 48*, Nurul Hasan Sohan 30; Mohammad Irfan 1/24)

Rajshahi Royals: 156/2 in 17.4 overs (Liton Das 75, Shoaib Malik 43*; Nasum Ahmed 1/33)

Rajshahi Royals win by eight wickets.