Khulna stun Rangers to pick up third consecutive win

Khulna Tigers stunned Rangpur Rangers by eight wickets to register their third consecutive win in the ongoing Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Friday. 

Rangers managed to score 137 for nine in 20 overs. Riding on Rilee Rossouw’s half century (66*), Khulna scored 138/2 in 12.3 overs. 

Khulna made a fiery-start scoring 83 for one inside the power-play, which is now the highest total in the power-play of this BPL. 

Afghanistan batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit 37 off 22 with four sixes and one four. His aggressive batting made the chase of a low-total easier for Khulna. 

Najmul Hossain Shanto failed once again as he got out after scoring one run. But it was nothing to worry about for Mushfiqur Rahim-led Khulna. 

South African batsman Rossouw came to bat at number three and left the field after ensuring victory. 

After the dismissal of Rahmanullah, Rossouw and Mushfiqur added 56 runs in the third wicket stand to seal the game. Mushfqiur remained unbeaten for 17 off 17 with two fours. 

Mustafizur Rahman and Mukidul Islam took one wicket each for the Rangers. 

Earlier, Khulna won the toss and sent Rangers bat first. Rangers made a good start as Afghanistan batsman Mohammad Shahzad hit a couple of early boundaries. But he fell for 11 off seven with two fours. 

After his dismissal, Ranger lost Cameron Delport and Nadif Chowdhury in quick succession. Delport scored four while Nadif was out for a duck.

However, Mohammad Naim was firm in the wicket. He posted 49 off 32 with five fours and two sixes before falling prey to a superb run-out effort by Shamsur Rahman and Mushfiqur. 

Besides Naim, Fazle Mahmud hit 42 off 33 and English all-rounder Lewis Gregory posted 22 off 20. But their efforts were not enough for the Rangers to post a challenging total.

National pace-bowler Shafiul Islam bagged three wickets conceding 21 runs in four overs with a maiden. Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir and Shahidul Islam took two wickets each. 

Khulna will play their next game against Sylhet Thunder on December 21 while Rangers will take on Chattogram Challengers on the same day.