Khulna continue winning run

Mushfiqur Rahim's Khulna Tigers defeated Rangpur Rangers by eight wickets at Chattogram today to keep their second-place in the BBPL standings. The win meant Khulna, who won both their previous two matches in the Dhaka leg, got off to a winning start in Chattogram, to continue their unbeaten run in the tournament. Rangpur meanwhile succumbed to their fourth defeat in the tournament having failed to win any of the four matches they played so far.

Having been sent to bat, Rangpur got off to a poor start, losing wickets on a regular basis as Khulna pacers, bowled excellently. Opener Mohammad Naim was the spark at the top, smashing a 32-ball 49 to keep the momentum up. Once the left-hander fell to a run-out the rest of the innings threatened to fizzle out but Fazle Mahmud's 33-ball 42 saw them post 137 for loss of nine wickets. Shafiul Islam was the standout bowler, picking up three wickets for 21 runs while Mohammad Amir bagged two wickets for 24. Medium pacer Shahidul Islam also bagged two wickets for Khulna.

Khulna chased down the target easily with eight wickets and 45 deliveries to spare. Rahmanullah Gurbaz struck 37 off 22 after Mustafizur Rahman had struck early, removing Nazmul Hossain for one. After Gurbaz's departure, Rilee Rossouw took Khulna over the ropes, blazing a 31-ball 66 with nine fours and two sixes. Mushfiqur was unbeaten on a run-a-ball 17 at the other end.