Twitter Reactions: Robbie Frylinck demolishes defending champions Rangpur Riders

The sixth edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) got underway with a low-scoring, but a thrilling encounter between defending champions Rangpur Riders and Chittagong Vikings at the renowned Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. In the end, the Vikings, captained by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim, won by three wickets. A poor batting performance from Rangpur led to their demise.

Frylinck wreaks havoc

After the Vikings won the toss and elected to bowl first, Proteas’ pacer Robbie Frylinck came to the party and picked up three wickets in his first two overs. He picked up Alex Hales and Mohammad Mithun for a duck and then accounted for opener Mehedi Maruf’s wicket. Pacer Abu Jayed got rid of Rilee Rossouw. The Riders lost half their side for 25 runs in the seventh over and their sixth wicket in the ninth over.

Seamer Khaled Ahmed got rid of skipper Mashrafe Mortaza and the Riders found themselves at 35 for seven in 11.2 overs. However, Ravi Bopara and Sohag Gazi put their heads down and built a useful partnership of 49 runs from 56 balls. Bopara was their standout batsman, having scored 44 runs from 47 balls with three fours and a couple of sixes. Rangpur Riders eventually were bowled out for 98 in 20 overs.

Too easy for the Vikings

The run-chase wasn’t expected to be a hard grind for the Vikings, but they didn’t get off to the best of starts as Mortaza removed Cameron Delport, who threatened with a six down the ground. Mohammad Ashraful, who made a comeback to the BPL, fell prey to speedster Shafiul Islam. Thereafter, wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad and Mushfiqur Rahim steadied the ship after the initial stutter.

Shahzad went on to score 27 runs from 23 balls after which Benny Howell trapped him plumb in front. Sikandar Raza succumbed to a run-out with Mushfiqur and got out for three. Chittagong lost their fifth wicket in the form of Mosaddek Hossain. Rahim scored a well-compiled 25 and perished to Nazmul Islam. Eventually, the Vikings held their nerves and got home with five deliveries to spare.

Here is how Twitter hailed the Vikings

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