Local players star in Rajshahi win

This time foreign players of either side can’t play to their potential

Two weeks after the BPL’s fifth version, local collections of any team finally came up with some significant contribution in team’s victory. There was sporadic performance of the local players so far but the foreigners’ impact was such that those performances weren’t counted much.

However yesterday Rajshahi Kings scripted a seven-wicket victory over Sylhet Sixers at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, completely relying on their local players. Elected to field first, Mehedi Hasan Miraj played a vital role for Rajshahi Kings in restricting Sylhet Sixers to paltry 146 for six. Though the scoreboard would suggest Kesrick Williams was the top wicket-taker with two for 32, Mehedi’s economical figure 4-0-12-1 was the key indeed.

But it was the batsmen who fired Rajshahi to a victory with 15 balls to spare as they cantered to the victory by making 150 for four with youngster Zakir Hasan sealed the deal with consecutive two boundaries.

Zakir Hasan’s 26 ball-51, studded with four fours and three sixes was the key in dominating victory but at the same time there was huge contribution from Mominul Haque who set the tune with 42 off 36, hitting five fours and a six.

Mominul and Rony Talukdar combined for a 65-run runs in the opening stand in just 8.3 overs to make the equation easier. Talukdar struck two fours and one six in his 22 ball-24, before Nasir Hossain brought an end to his knock.

Left arm spinner Nabil Samad then took out Samit Patel for 1, to force Rajshahi losing two wickets in just one run. Skipper Darren Sammy’s decision to send Zakir in No. 4 position was proved to be decisive, specially when he himself, Mushfiqur Rahim and James Fanklin were in the dug out.

Unlike the other Bangladeshi batsmen, Zakir came up with aggressive approach right from the start, much to the surprise of Sylhet Sixers. Nabil Samad however got his wicket when he was on 21 but to his horror, he overstepped to make the delivery no-ball. Zakir then smashed him consecutive two sixes before Abul Hasan Raju got rid of Mominul who was playing with assured hand on the other end.

Vice-captain Mushfiqur Rahim then joined him but Zakir outshined his senior partner with some lusty hit around the park. And fittingly he sealed the deal with two boundaries in a row off Taijul Islam.

Earlier Mohammad Sami broke through in the fourth ball of the innings by dismissing Andre Fletcher for naught but Mehedi Hassan Miraj gave the vital breakthrough having scalped tournament’s consistent and highest run-maker Upul Tharanga for 10.

Mehedi kept his tight bowling at one end to stem the run-flow as Rajshahi reached 50 in 10 overs. Sabbir Rahman who was criticized hugely for his bad patch came to bat in No. 6 position and found some form, hitting 41 off 26 with one four and four sixes. Tim Bresnan also contributed 17 ball-29 not out to help Rajshahi reach closer to 150 from the precarious position.

Local players star in Rajshahi win

This time foreign players of either side cant play to their potential

Two weeks after the BPLs fifth version, local collections of any team finally came up with some significant contribution in teams victory. There was sporadic performance of the local players so far but the foreigners impact was such that those performances werent counted much. However yesterday Rajshahi Kings scripted a seven-wicket victory over Sylhet Sixers at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, completely relying on their local players. Elected to field first, Mehedi Hasan Miraj played a vital role for Rajshahi Kings in restricting Sylhet Sixers to paltry 146 for six. Though the scoreboard would suggest Kesrick Williams was the top wicket-taker with two for 32, Mehedis economical figure 4-0-12-1 was the key indeed. But it was the batsmen who fired Rajshahi to a victory with 15 balls to spare as they cantered to the victory by making 150 for four with youngster Zakir Hasan sealed the deal with consecutive two boundaries. Zakir Hasans 26 ball-51, studded with four fours and three sixes was the key in dominating victory but at the same time there was huge contribution from Mominul Haque who set the tune with 42 off 36, hitting five fours and a six. Mominul and Rony Talukdar combined for a 65-run runs in the opening stand in just 8.3 overs to make the equation easier. Talukdar struck two fours and one six in his 22 ball-24, before Nasir Hossain brought an end to his knock. Left arm spinner Nabil Samad then took out Samit Patel for 1, to force Rajshahi losing two wickets in just one run. Skipper Darren Sammys decision to send Zakir in No. 4 position was proved to be decisive, specially when he himself, Mushfiqur Rahim and James Fanklin were in the dug out. Unlike the other Bangladeshi batsmen, Zakir came up with aggressive approach right from the start, much to the surprise of Sylhet Sixers. Nabil Samad however got his wicket when he was on 21 but to his horror, he overstepped to make the delivery no-ball. Zakir then smashed him consecutive two sixes before Abul Hasan Raju got rid of Mominul who was playing with assured hand on the other end. Vice-captain Mushfiqur Rahim then joined him but Zakir outshined his senior partner with some lusty hit around the park. And fittingly he sealed the deal with two boundaries in a row off Taijul Islam. Earlier Mohammad Sami broke through in the fourth ball of the innings by dismissing Andre Fletcher for naught but Mehedi Hassan Miraj gave the vital breakthrough having scalped tournaments consistent and highest run-maker Upul Tharanga for 10. Mehedi kept his tight bowling at one end to stem the run-flow as Rajshahi reached 50 in 10 overs. Sabbir Rahman who was criticized hugely for his bad patch came to bat in No. 6 position and found some form, hitting 41 off 26 with one four and four sixes. Tim Bresnan also contributed 17 ball-29 not out to help Rajshahi reach closer to 150 from the precarious position.