BPL3: First Match, Rangpur Riders Vs Chittagong Vikings Played at SNCS Dhaka

Rangpur Riders (RR) 188 for 8 (Misbah Ul Haq 61, Thisara Perera 43, Mohammad Amir 4-30) beat Chittagong Vikings (CV) 187 for 7 (Tamim Iqbal 51, Al Amin 38 ,BAMJ Mendis 39, Anamul Haque 36 , T Dilshan 29, Saqlain Sajib 3-26, Abu Jayed 2/26 ) by two wickets
Player of The Match: Misbah Ul Haq (RR)

Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 3 kicked off with a thrilling encounter when magical Misbah-ul-Haq playing a blinder of 61 off only 39 balls pulled off a spectacular last ball win for Rangpur Riders against Chittagong Vikings.

Misbah and Thisara Perera salvaged and revived the rocking boat of RR when they were languishing at 5/87 in the 13th over. The pair put on 80 priceless runs in 29 deliveries almost snatching the match out of CV’s grip. 

Pakistan’s fallen speed prodigy Amir removing both Misbah and Perera with consecutive deliveries created further sensation. But by then at 167 in 18.3 the target of 188 came within sight especially when a tried and tested finisher DJG Sammy was still at RR disposal.

He struck 2 fours and a six in his 7 balls 18 earning RR a very satisfying two wicket win. Batting first CV posted a challenging 187/7 which many thought could end well over 200 after top order gave blistering start.

The teams were evenly balanced. Two Bangladesh Icons Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal rivaled against each other leading their respective franchise. Shakib arrived from USA and straight away went into action. Tamim was lucky with the coin. He and Sri Lankan blaster Dilshan launched savage attack on RR bowling racing to 52 by the 5th over.  Shakib looked fatigued from jet lag and rusty for being out of cricket for a while.

Dilshan and Tamim were severe on Sakib and Perera. Young Bangladesh pacer halted the opening partnership moving at plutonic pace when Dilshan top edged him after blasting 29 off 16 deliveries.

Anamul joined Tamim maintaining the momentum. Runs were raining thick and fast. The pair added run a ball 65 before Tamim again gifted his wicket through a careless stroke of Sajib. Well set Tamim scoring 51 could take the match beyond RR if he could restrain a bit at crunch time.

 Anamul also did not last long. After the top three CV only had Sri Lankan Mendis of quality. Sajib and Jayed bowled smartly. Only due to some enterprising batting of Mendis CV could post 187/7 which given the start and match situation was 20 runs too less.

CV possibly has the most potent pace attack of the tournament. Talented Mohammad Amir was thought to rock the cricket world when he broke into the scene. But match fixing scandal cast a dark shadow on him being suspended and punished by ICC. He has just returned to competitive. In his first appearance of cricket of international flavor he showed what world cricket missed over the last 5 years.

Budding Bangladesh speedster Taskin was his ideal foil. The national seamer Shafiul also extended useful helping hands. By 5 th over RR was looking miserable at 4/23.Simmons, Soumya, Mithun and Sakib were all gone. Soumya got a terrible umpiring verdict though. Misbah and local Al Amin junior did some repairing works taking the score to 87 by 13th over.

The target looked at quite a distance. But those who have knowledge on international cricket were aware that RR had weapons in its armory. A well set Misbah and rollicking Thisara set fire at Shere Bangla. 80 priceless runs were added at blistering pace in only 4.5 overs before Amir returned to remove both Thisara and Misbah in consecutive deliveries. But by the then the damage was done. With Sammy still at disposal of RR the match went down to wire.

Sammy was dropped and the match was gone. By the time he eventually got out the score was level in 19.5 Overs. The winning run was scored off the last delivery. The brilliant bowling effort of Amir 4/30 went to dust. Misbah won for his franchise a very important win.

Looking back in retrospect we find despite of batting depth CV was in a great position after blistering opening stand. The top four batsmen got in, got going and got out playing too much ambitious strokes. After them none could keep going.

Tamim, Anamul and Dilshan could be a bit more alert. But that is the way they play.  CV dropped few vital catches, which could turn the match. Credit must be given to RR batsman for a spectacular recovery. Against a very potent and penetrative attack chasing 188 and wining after being reduced to 4/23 with 5-overs is a huge achievement. RR has more impact T20 performers and a balanced unit.

There was some ordinary umpiring in the match, which should improve.

** Rangpur Riders beat Chittagong Vikings

BDST: 0846 HRS, NOV 23, 2015
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