Rossouw helps Rangpur bounce back

South African batsman Rilee Rossouw played an unbeaten knock of 76 as Rangpur Riders bounced back in the Bangladesh Premier League with an eight-run win against Khulna Titans today.

Rossouw scored 76 not out off 52 balls, featuring eight fours and two sixes to power the defending champions to 169 for three in their stipulated 20 overs. English all-rounder Ravi Bopara gave him good support at the latter part of the innings with an unbeaten 29-ball 50.

Khulna Titans started their chase well, reaching 90 off the first 11 overs but as the required run rate started to climb they started losing wickets. Junaid Siddique was the first man to fall for 33, but it was the dismissal of Irish batsman Paul Stirling (61 off 46) which made the task difficult for Mahmudullah and Co. Eventually they finished at 161 for five, with Shafiul Islam taking two wickets for the defending champions.

Rangpur Riders had started their defence of the title on the wrong foot, losing against Chittagong Vikings by three wickets in the opening match on Saturday.