Sammy takes Rajshahi to Qualifier 2

Rajshahi Kings captain Darren Sammy struck an unbeaten fifty when his side was in trouble to beat Chittagong Vikings by three wickets in the eliminator match of Bangladesh Premier League 2016 at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur today.

Chasing 143 to advance to Qualifier 2, Rajshahi were looking down and out at 6-57 inside 11 overs. The seventh wicket stand of 37 in 3.2 overs, followed by 49 runs partnership in 4.1 overs for the 8th wicket took Rajshahi across the finish line.

Sammy was the protagonist in the decisive partnerships, and smashed 55 from only 27 balls. His match-winning knock contained seven fours and two towering sixes.

Subashis Roy and Saqlain Sajib of Chittagong took two wickets each. Saqlain captured two wickets for 24 runs in four overs.

Rajshahi will now play the loser of the first qualifier between Dhaka Dynamites and Khulna Titans on December 7, 2016.

Earlier, an inspired bowling performance from Rajshahi Kings’ foreign recruit Kesrick Williams helped his side restrict Chittagong Vikings to 142 for 8.

Kesrick captured four wickets for 11 runs in four overs to peg back Chittagong. He sent back Dwayne Smith early, then returned to take the wickets of Tamim Iqbal, Abdur Razzak and Taskin Ahmed late in the innings.

Rajshahi captain Darren Sammy won the toss and opted to field first. Chittagong were going strong with Chris Gayle and Tamim at the crease, and crossed 80 inside 11 overs. After Gayle was dismissed, Chittagong lost wickets at regular intervals and stuttered to a below-par total. Tamim was the highest scorer for his side with 51 from 46 balls. Gayle made 44 from 30.