Vikings prevail in slow start

It was a rather dull start to the sixth edition of the Bangladesh Premier League both on and off the field with no flashy opening ceremony and fewer supporters at the ground in a low-scoring encounter. Chittagong Vikings eventually managed to register a three-wicket win over defending champions Rangpur Riders in the day's first game at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

The following are some noteworthy moments of the game:

BATTING WOES 

It was a poor batting display from both sides, but Chittagong were somehow able to remain on top, but not by much. After being sent to bat Rangpur were in all sorts of trouble and at one point were reeling on 35 for seven before Ravi Bopara and Shohag Gazi avoided humiliation.

The pair added 49 runs for the eighth wicket and they were the only two to reach double figures. Bopara top-scored with 44 while Gazi added 21 as Rangpur were all out for 98 in 20 overs.

Chittagong followed the same path -- Afghanistan's Mohammad Shahzad top-scored with 27 while skipper Mushfiqur Rahim added 25 runs and when Shahzad's departure made the score 51 for three, the batting side pressed the panic button. Chittagong however managed to chase the target in the last over, losing seven wickets.

Wickets in Bangladesh are very different to the rest of the world. Sometimes you need a lot of time to get prepared for the competition. If you come unprepared, it is a very difficult place to play especially as a batsman. Wickets in the nets are not the same as the middle. It is always difficult to get the idea. Especially in Mirpur, the wicket is unpredictable. We know that scores will be higher in Chittagong [Chattogram] and Sylhet. You can score 170 to 200. But if you can get 150 here, it is always difficult for the opposition. --RAVI BOPARA, RANGPUR RIDERS, ALL-ROUNDER

FRYLINCK'S FANTASTIC BPL DEBUT

A relatively unknown tall and rotund fast bowler from South Africa, Frylinck was the surprise package for Chittagong against Rangpur yesterday. The 34-year-old, who incidentally played the first of his three T20Is against Bangladesh in late 2017, kept things simple and left the rest to the slow Mirpur pitch. He dismissed Alex Hales (0), Mohammad Mithun (0) and Mehedi Maruf (1) and came back to dismiss Gazi at the end, finishing with figures of four for 14 from four overs. Frylinck was also handy with the bat and remained unbeaten on 10 to help his side chase the small target.

"I don't think it was a 99 wicket, neither was it a 140 wicket. I think 120-125 would have been a good score. I think they may have gone a bit hard up front," he said.

ASHRAFUL'S DISAPPOINTING RETURN

All eyes were on Mohammad Ashraful making a return to the BPL for Chittagong since completing his five-year ban from international cricket for his part in the match and spot fixing scandals of 2013. The stage was set for the right-hander but Ashraful failed to utilise the opportunity, coming in at number three. He was eventually dismissed on three from five deliveries when he was caught at third man off a top edge while trying to play a flick to Shafiul Islam.

SCORES IN BRIEF

RANGPUR RIDERS v CHITTAGONG VIKINGS

RANGPUR: 98 (Bopara 44, Sohag 21; Frylinck 4-14, Nayeem 2-10, Jayed 2-30)

CHITTAGONG: 101 for 7 (Shahzad 27, Mushfiqur 25, Frylinck 12 not out; Mashrafe 2-24, Farhad 1-10)

Result: Chittagong won by 3 wickets.

Player-of-the-match: Robbie Frylinck.