Rangpur deny Ctg in thriller

Showing an unwavering resolve, Rangpur Riders brought up their third last-ball victory in last four matches, defeating hosts Chittagong Vikings by three wickets at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium yesterday. Defending 176 for seven, Chittagong was firstly demoralised by the sudden assault of Mashrafe and then Thisara Perara who held his composure to bring a victory in the last ball in a see-saw match that could have been anyone’s game. With 14 runs requiring in the last overs, Rangpur collected eight of first two balls in courtesy of Perera with a six off Taskin Ahmed before losing two wickets in two deliveries. The Riders then needed six off two. He could manage another double in the penultimate delivery and to his delight Taskin’s last ball was wide, giving Perera another chance to redeem. He hit six in the last ball when they required three to finish yet another nervy match. Perera was unbeaten on a 14-ball 28, smashing three sixes, including two in the last over.

Mashrafe strategically promoted himself up to the one-down position following Brendan McCullum’s departure on 15. The plan was to shield Chris Gayle from the spinners who have been traditionally the Caribbean hard-hitter’s drawback on sluggish pitch. In contrast, Mashrafe’s strength was his ability to dispatch the spinners at will. The ploy worked nicely with Mashrafe lighting up Chittagong’s night sky with array of sixes, couple of which landed at the second tier of the gallery.

Left arm spinner Sanjamul Islam ended Mashrafe’s carnage with a slider before he smashed 42 off just 17, striking four fours and three sixes. Gayle was a mere spectator when Mashrafe was on song. He came out from the shell after the dismissal of Mashrafe but paid the price of an extravagant pull shot to be caught at deep mid-wicket. Luke Ronchi latched on to the catch but it seemed his feet touched the boundary rope. After a lengthy TV replay, the umpires, however, gave the verdict in favour of Chittagong, leaving Rangpur’s chance in limbo. Gayle was dismissed on 33 off 25, with one four and three sixes.

Chittagong then hit back with a flurry of wickets and slowing down the run rate before Mohammad Mithun and Thisara Perera took the game to a nervy finish. Luis Reece got rid of Mithun after his 29-ball 44 in the penultimate over and set up a last over drama in which Perera thrived against Taskin.

Earlier, Stiaan Van Zyl hit 40-ball 68 to steer Chittagong Vikings to a decent total. After Chittagong was left to 56 for three inside eighth over, Van Zyl and Sikandar Raza revived the innings with a 76-run partnership. Raza was out on 22 but Najubullah Zadran played a perfect foil to Van Zyl to raise the prospect of closing in on 200. However, Lasith Malinga lived up to his reputation as a deadly death bowler to strangle Chittagong in the death overs and dashed their hopes of propelling the team past 200 yet again.

 

Rangpur deny Ctg in thriller

Showing an unwavering resolve, Rangpur Riders brought up their third last-ball victory in last four matches, defeating hosts Chittagong Vikings by three wickets at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium yesterday. Defending 176 for seven, Chittagong was firstly demoralised by the sudden assault of Mashrafe and then Thisara Perara who held his composure to bring a victory in the last ball in a see-saw match that could have been anyones game. With 14 runs requiring in the last overs, Rangpur collected eight of first two balls in courtesy of Perera with a six off Taskin Ahmed before losing two wickets in two deliveries. The Riders then needed six off two. He could manage another double in the penultimate delivery and to his delight Taskins last ball was wide, giving Perera another chance to redeem. He hit six in the last ball when they required three to finish yet another nervy match. Perera was unbeaten on a 14-ball 28, smashing three sixes, including two in the last over. Mashrafe strategically promoted himself up to the one-down position following Brendan McCullums departure on 15. The plan was to shield Chris Gayle from the spinners who have been traditionally the Caribbean hard-hitters drawback on sluggish pitch. In contrast, Mashrafes strength was his ability to dispatch the spinners at will. The ploy worked nicely with Mashrafe lighting up Chittagongs night sky with array of sixes, couple of which landed at the second tier of the gallery. Left arm spinner Sanjamul Islam ended Mashrafes carnage with a slider before he smashed 42 off just 17, striking four fours and three sixes. Gayle was a mere spectator when Mashrafe was on song. He came out from the shell after the dismissal of Mashrafe but paid the price of an extravagant pull shot to be caught at deep mid-wicket. Luke Ronchi latched on to the catch but it seemed his feet touched the boundary rope. After a lengthy TV replay, the umpires, however, gave the verdict in favour of Chittagong, leaving Rangpurs chance in limbo. Gayle was dismissed on 33 off 25, with one four and three sixes. Chittagong then hit back with a flurry of wickets and slowing down the run rate before Mohammad Mithun and Thisara Perera took the game to a nervy finish. Luis Reece got rid of Mithun after his 29-ball 44 in the penultimate over and set up a last over drama in which Perera thrived against Taskin. Earlier, Stiaan Van Zyl hit 40-ball 68 to steer Chittagong Vikings to a decent total. After Chittagong was left to 56 for three inside eighth over, Van Zyl and Sikandar Raza revived the innings with a 76-run partnership. Raza was out on 22 but Najubullah Zadran played a perfect foil to Van Zyl to raise the prospect of closing in on 200. However, Lasith Malinga lived up to his reputation as a deadly death bowler to strangle Chittagong in the death overs and dashed their hopes of propelling the team past 200 yet again.