BPL 2019-20: Match 32, Review- Chattogram Challengers outplay Khulna Tigers; secure playoffs spot

In their first meeting, Khulna Tigers made a mockery of the Chattogram Challengers in Mirpur. However, in Sylhet, the rub of the green went in the Challengers’ favour. Imrul Kayes and Co got home by six wickets in a low-scoring affair and also re-claimed their top spot in the table. For the Tigers, they keep hanging in the middle of the table with three games left in the league stage.

Rossouw shines in tough conditions

On a tricky surface, the Tigers made a horrendous start. Mehedi Hasan Rana removed both the openers- Hashim Amla and Mehidy Hasan Miraz- in his second over. Shamsur Rahman edged one off Rubel Hossain to give the Challengers their third wicket. In the powerplay, the Tigers managed 22 runs. The onus was then on Mushfiqur Rahim (29) and Rilee Rossouw (48) to steady the ship.

The duo was cautious to start with. Mushfiqur was seeming to find his rhythm before Zia-ur-Rahman castled him. In the 17th over, Kesrick Williams nipped out Rossouw to deliver the body blow. After his dismissal, the Tigers could only add 15 runs in the next 18 balls before getting bowled out for 121. Rubel came back in his final spell and dismissed Alauddin Babu and Tanvir Islam with yorkers.

All to easy for the Challengers

The Challengers didn’t go hammer and tongs in the beginning. From the third over, Lendl Simmons (36) and Junaid Siddiqui (38) stepped on the gas. The pair put on a crucial 69-run stand for the opening wicket off 61 balls. Aliss Islam, who took a hat-trick last season on his BPL debut, got rid of Simmons. In the next over, Miraz got Siddiqui, but by then the Challengers were on the driver’s seat.

Robbie Frylinck nipped Asela Gunaratne for a golden duck, and tried to get the Tigers back into contention. Imrul Kayes, who was making his comeback after recovering from a hamstring injury, didn’t allow any pressure to build. The Challengers’ skipper stayed unbeaten on 30 off 27 with two fours and as many sixes. Nurul Hasan smacked Rossouw for a four to seal the fate of the game.

Brief Scores

Khulna Tigers: 121 all out in 19.5 overs (Rilee Rossouw 48, Mushfiqur Rahim 29; Rubel Hossain 3/17)

Chattogram Challengers: 124/4 in 18.1 overs (Junaid Siddiqui 38, Lendl Simmons 36; Robbie Frylinck 2/20)

Chattogram Challengers win by six wickets.