BPL 2019-20: Match 22, Review- Mushfiqur Rahim and Shahidul Islam secure victory for Khulna Tigers

Khulna Tigers had found themselves in trouble after back-to-back defeats in the BPL 2019-20. With pressure mounting on them, Mushfiqur Rahim and Co put up a clinical show versus the Rangpur Rangers. At the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, the Tigers won by a margin of 52 runs. The victory has helped them overtake Dhaka Platoon to the third position in the points table.

Mushfiqur shines again for Tigers

The Tigers got off to a brisk start after Mehidy Hasan Miraz smacked three fours. But Mustafizur Rahman’s first over pushed the Tigers on the backfoot. The speedster sent back Mehidy and then got rid of Rilee Rossouw for a golden duck. Shamsur Rahman came out with intent and tried to attack. Lewis Gregory found his outside edge to pick up the third Tigers’ wicket in the fifth over.

Mushfiqur Rahim (59) and opener Najmul Hossain Shanto (30) restored sanity with a 39-run stand. Mohammad Nabi removed Shanto in the 10th over to keep the Rangers in the game. But Mushfiqur and Najibullah Zadran (41) stepped on the gas with an 82-run stand off 51 balls. Mushfiqur got to his fifty off 41 balls and their stand took the Tigers to a formidable score of 182 for seven in 20 overs.

Shahidul strangles the Rangers

The Rangers had a horrendous start as Robbie Frylinck nipped out Shane Watson, who was playing his first game of this BPL. Mohammad Amir removed Mohammad Naim after the latter threatened with a nine-ball 20 with three fours and a six. Shahidul Islam joined the party and got rid of Fazle Mahmud and Mohammad Nabi in quick succession. Lewis Gregory tried his heart out with 34 runs.

However, after Tanvir Islam nipped Gregory out in the 13th over, the wheels came off the Rangers’ chase. Gregory cleared the ropes three times, but couldn’t repeat his heroics from the game versus Chattogram Challengers. Mustafizur entertained with the bat with an 11-ball 21, but it was only to delay the inevitable. Rangpur’s loss made sure that they kept languishing at the bottom of the table.

Brief Scores

Khulna Tigers: – 182/7 in 20 overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 59, Najibullah Zadran 41; Mustafizur Rahman 3/28)

Rangpur Rangers: – 130/9 in 20 overs (Lewis Gregory 34, Mustafizur Rahman 21*; Shahidul Islam 4/23)

Khulna Tigers win by 52 runs.