Twitter Reactions: Calm-headed Mustafizur takes Rajashahi Kings to glory against Rangpur Riders

After the first innings, Rajshahi Kings looked like losing their third match against defending champions Rangpur Riders in this edition’s Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Nevertheless, their bowlers stepped up and pulled off a six-run victory at the Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium. Meanwhile, the Riders lost their third match, but remained at the second position below Dhaka Dynamites, led by Shakib Al Hasan.

Hasan shines with the bat

The Riders won the toss, elected to field first and made sure that the Kings could only score 135 for eight in 20 overs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the Rajshahi captain, perished for a golden-duck to Mashrafe Mortaza. His fellow opener, Mominul Haque couldn’t survive the heat and fell prey to off-spinner Sohag Gazi. Soumya Sarkar scored a quick-fire 18 from 13 deliveries and he became Mashrafe’s second victim.

Mohammad Hafeez and wicketkeeper Zakir Hasan put their heads down and added 54 runs for the fourth wicket in 50 balls. Ravi Bopara ran Hafeez out for 26 to break the ominous-looking stand. Hasan remained not out on 42 from 36 balls with two fours and a six. For Rangpur, Mortaza and medium pacer Farhad Reza picked up two wickets each even as Gazi and Shafiul Islam dismissed one batsman each.

Riders crumble under pressure

Mortaza came out to open with Chris Gayle and the move didn’t work as Kamrul Islam Rabbi sent him packing for a duck. However, the hulk-like Gayle took Rabbi to the cleaners and scored 20 runs in the third over. Unfortunately, Gayle got out in the last ball of the same over after scoring 23 runs from 14 balls with two fours and as many sixes. Mohammad Mithun and Rilee Rossouw took charge thereafter.

The duo added 40 to steady the ship. Hafeez nipped out Mithun, who scored 30 with a couple of sixes. The Pakistan tweaker castled Bopara in his next over. The Riders lost their fifth wicket in the form of Benny Howell. At the other end, Rossouw kept the scoreboard ticking. In the last over, the Riders needed nine runs and Mustafizur Rahman conceded only three runs. Rossouw was stranded on 44 runs.

Here is how Twitter reacted

MUSTAFIZUR RAHMAN YOU LEGEND !!!@Mustafiz90 UNBELIEVABLE!!!#RRvRK#BPL2019

— JITBE DHAKA DEKHBE DESH (@Nafiu_Shakibian) January 13, 2019

Well done Mustafizur <3

Congratulations Mehidy Hasan Miraz <3 <3

Better luck for the next game CAPTAIN 🙁

— Sahadat Ahmed Sahad (@Sahad_02) January 13, 2019

"Interesting" stuff again over in the #BPL …

— Nellberg cricket 🏏 (@nellbergcricket) January 13, 2019

Wasn’t fixed. Tough track and new batsman. Fizz bowled a class over

— Wolf Of Lords (@lordswolf14) January 13, 2019

you beauty #musta
<3 <3 #fizz

— M Mesbah Uddin (@mesbahbd24) January 13, 2019

What an over….!
What a bowler….! #Fizz90
The magician Fizz depend 10runs the last over tragedy 😍😍

— অভ্র (@abcakashr) January 13, 2019

Whdddddaa match it was !!!
Unbeatable performance by Fizz
You Freak, Fizz

— Thank You Andy Murray (@SportsBoyShawon) January 13, 2019

Fizzz did it
1 0 0 0 1 1
Rajshahi kings beat Rangpur Riders 5 runs
Champion Fizz

— Thank You Andy Murray (@SportsBoyShawon) January 13, 2019

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