Riders vanquish Vikings by 9 wickets

Tamim Iqbal’s Chittagong Vikings were taken to school by Shakib’s Rangpur Riders in the 15th match of BPL-2015 at ZAC stadium today.

After restricting the listless Vikings to 111, Riders romped to victory with three overs to spare and nine wickets in hand.

Rangpur openers Jahurul Islam and Soumya Sarkar nearly took their team home, but Jahurul fell ten runs short of a resounding win in the 16th over.

He scored 47 from 44 balls with four boundaries and a six to his name. Shafiul had him caught out.

His partner Soumya remained not out on 58, his first knock of substance in this year’s BPL.

Soumya faced 56 deliveries and smacked eight fours and a huge six during his stay at the crease.

With only 111 to defend, Chittagong bowlers didn’t have much of a chance, but they bowled reasonably well to push the match into the 17th over.

Shafiul Islam took the only wicket to fall, but was hammered for 22 in two overs. 

Both Soumya and Jahurul came out to chase Chittagong’s paltry total with a positive frame of mind, and didn’t miss out on the loose deliveries on offer.

Sensing the tournament might be all over, the Chittagong Vikings cricketers looked rather deflated, and the bowlers tried desperately to make early in-roads into Rangpur’s daunting batting line-up.

Rangpur were sitting quite comfortable after five overs into their chase, and had 30 runs on the board without any loss of wickets.

Earlier, Rangpur Riders choked Chittagong Vikings of runs with regular strikes and restricted them to 111 in the 15th match of BPL-2015 at ZAC stadium.

Shafiul Islam of Vikings was run out in the last ball, and was the icing on the cake for Chittagong’s shambolic day in front of their fans.

Shakib returned in the 19th over and got a wicket with a juicy full toss. Mohammad Amir’s eyes opened up but failed to hit it cleanly and saw Sammy take a comfortable catch at long-off.

Ziaur Rahman failed to fire and left his team high and dry. He scored three before a blinder from Jahurul sent him back. Perera got his first scalp of the game.

Chittagong Vikings dug themselves a deep hole to bury their chances of progressing to the knock-out round of BPL-2015 by the utter recklessness of celebrated batters.

None of the big-name batsmen of Chittagong showed the intent to consolidate wickets fell in front of their eyes and played some horrific shots to dismiss themselves.

Umar Akmal fell in the 15th over and the writing was on the wall for the incapable Vikings. Only 84 runs were scored for the loss of five wickets.

Tamim Iqbal had a brain-freeze, went down the wicket, slogged the ball straight down the long-on’s throat after seeing Anamul do the same only few minutes earlier.

Tamim had settled down well with 36 from 43 balls with two fours, but couldn’t stop himself from smashing Mohammad Nabi out of the park.

Anamul Haque went down the track to Saqlain Sajib, couldn’t really time the ball that well and only managed to hit as far as Darren Sammy near the fence. He scored 14.

Vikings stood on shaky ground after losing two important wickets inside the ten overs, and only managed 62 runs at the half-way stage.

Kamran Akmal came out to dominate proceedings, and only lasted seven balls.

He had already smashed Arafat Sunny for a six and four, but couldn’t hold back himself and played one shot too many. Akmal scored 12.

Chittagong Vikings lost opener Dilshan after a steady start when his attempt at a six fell short for a dolly-catch to Jahurul Islam.

Dilshan was more watchful than his usual self, played 19 balls for 18 runs and smoked three boundaries along the way.

Vikings skipper had earlier won the toss, and didn’t hesitate to bat first in their must-win game after a string of losses, four in five.

Rangpur Riders captain Shakib Al Hasan returned after the one-match suspension, and would like to begin the Chittagong-phase of BPL on a winning note.

Rangpur Riders

Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Mithun (Wicketkeeper), Jahurul Islam, Misbah-ul-Haq, NLTC Perera, Arafat Sunny, Saqlain Sajib, Muktar Ali, Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), DJG Sammy and Mohammad Nabi

Chittagong Vikings

Anamul Haque, Naeem Islam, Ziaur Rahman, Mohammad Amir, Shafiul Islam, Asif Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Umar Akmal, Tamim Iqbal (Captain), TM Dilshan and Kamran Akmal (Wicketkeeper)

Tamim Iqbal plays a shot during BPL. File Photo: STAR