Twitter Reactions: Combined efforts from Riders’ bowlers pulverise Comilla Victorians
It was also De Villiers' last match in this edition's BPL.
The match between Rangpur Riders and Comilla Victorians at the Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium didn’t have much significance as both teams already confirmed their berth in the top two of the points table in this edition’s Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Subsequently, the Victorians and the Riders made as many as five and three changes respectively. The Riders won the match comfortably by nine wickets.
Riders’ bowlers dominate
The Riders got off to a superlative start after winning as the toss as off-spinner Nahidul Islam got rid of the opposition captain Tamim Iqbal for a two-ball duck. In his next over, the tweaker removed Anamul Haque Bijoy. Shamsur Rahman spanked a couple of fours and he fell prey to pacer Shahidul Islam. Skipper Kayes managed to back a golden duck and he was nipped out by fast bowler Mashrafe Mortaza.
The Victorians lost their fifth wicket for 23 runs in the sixth over with Thisara Perera’s dismissal. Liam Dawson and Ziaur Rahman scored 18 and 21 runs respectively, but that wasn’t enough and Comilla were bowled out for 72 in 16.3 overs. For the Riders, Englishman Ravi Bopara made a successful comeback as he finished with three wickets for only seven runs. Nahidul and Mashrafe got two wickets each.
Gayle and De Villiers complete the formalities
The run-chase was expected to be a doddle for the Riders’ batting lineup, which has arguably been one of the best in the tournament. Mehedi Maruf opened the batting with the hulk-like Chris Gayle from West Indies, but couldn’t make an impact. Debutant spinner Sanjit Saha rattled his woodwork in the second over. However, it turned out to be the last moment of joy for the Victorians.
AB de Villiers, who was playing his last match in this edition’s BPL, joined Gayle in the middle and made sure that the Riders don’t suffer any more hiccups. While the former South African batter remained not out on 34 from 22 balls with four fours and a couple of sixes, the out-of-form Gayle also managed to get his form back with a breezy 30-ball 35. Rangpur Riders also dethroned Comilla from the top of the table.
Here is how Twitter reacted
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