Khulna Titans climbed to the top of the BPL-4 points table, crushing Barisal Bulls by 22 runs yesterday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium The Titans bowlers bowled in a disciplined manner to defend the 151 for seven as they wrapped up Barisal Bulls innings for 129 in 19.3 overs.
The victory helped Titans amass 10 points in six matches and take a solo lead in the table. Dhaka Dynamites and Rajshahi Kings have eight points in six and five matches respectively.
Captain Mahmudullah Riyad and Australian recruit Riki Wessels gave the bowlers a good total to defend by hitting 44 and 40 runs respectively. They contributed 53 runs for the third wicket after the side was left in tittering 24 for two, following a double strike by left arm spinner Taijul Islam. Opening the bowling after his captain Mushfiqur Rahim chose to bowl first, Taijul strangled the Titans openers with a disciplined bowling and got the rewards with those two scalps. In form Mahmudullah Riyad stood firm, however, and got the support from Wessels. Both of them accelerated the innings at good pace and took the side to a strong position before Taijul returned to his second spell to break the partnership with the wicket of Riyad who hit two fours and three sixes in his 26 ball-44.
Shuvagata Hom was run out in the next over for duck as Titans was left in a cornered position once again. But Wessels kept hitting until Rayad Emrit disturbed the stump when he was trying to cut. Wessels’ 29 ball-40 was designed with four fours and a six. Ariful Haque made a 22 ball-26 not out to help the side propel past 150 runs mark. Taijul Islam returned figures of three for 18.
Jeevan Mendis hit two fours in the first over to kick-start the chase in an emphatic fashion, but Junaid Khan removed another opener Fazle Mahmud for naught in the second over to help Titans claw back. And they never looked back thereafter.
Fast bowler Shafiul Islam dismissed Mendis for 21, leaving Bulls dig in deep. However in form Shahriar Nafees and captain Mushfiqur Rahman resisted and helped the side hit back with 43 runs partnership. Left arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain broke the partnership with the wicket of Shahriar Nafees who made 28 and then followed it with another wicket of Thisara Perera for 0 at the same over.
Shafiul Islam then dismissed Bulls hope of any fight-back by getting rid of Mushfiqur Rahim for 35. The lower order couldn’t put up any resistance as Titans bowlers made regular inroads to ensure the team’s top spot for the time being. National pacer Shafiul Islam figured his best bowling in the current tournament claiming four for 17. Junaid Khan and Mosharraf Hossain scalped two wickets apiece.