Pakistan recruit Shoaib Malik struck an unbeaten45 ball-75 as Rangpur Riders romped to a 55-run victory over ChattogramChallengers for their third win in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20tournament at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Monday.
His brilliant knock which included five fours and as many sixes wascomplemented by an equally aggressive 24 ball-42 by Afghan recruit Azmatullah
Omarzai as Rangpur compiled a hefty 179-6.
Chattogram was nowhere near to challenge the total as they were bowled outfor 124 in 16.3 overs with their batting linchpin Afif Hossain unable to batdue to high fever.
After being asked to bat first, Rangpur made a disastrous start, beingreduced to 47-3 in ninth over with Mahedi Hasan who was sent to open theinnings and Parvez Hossain Emon, being out for single digit figure. OpenerNaim Sheikh looked to have made his start a count but was stumped afterscoring 34 off 29. Malik and Omarzai not only helped the side recover from the shaky start butbatted in aggressive fashion to take the side to a strong total. They added105 off just 52 balls by taking the Chattogram bowlers in sheer disdain.
Pacer Mehedi Hasan Rana broke the partnership after Omarzai smashed one four
and four sixes for his tornado knock. But Malik stayed in the crease till theend and ensured Rangpur would amass a total that would give them a chance towin the game.
Rana, however, was the most successful bowler for Chattogram with 3-39 while
captain Shuvagata Hom claimed 2-13. Hom also led the side in batting with 31ball-52, hitting four fours and four sixes but he hardly got support from theother end, a reason that hastened Chattogram's fifth defeat in seven matches.
Rangpur's Pakistan speedster Haris Rauf took the side on the verge of thevictory, removing Hom. He also took the wicket of Darwish Rasooli for 24, thekey middle order batter of Chattogram and eventually finished with 3-17.
Ziaur Rahman was the other batter apart from Hom and Rasooli to reach doublefigure mark with 12 ball-24.
Rakibul Hasan picked up 2-24 to complement Haris Rauf's effort as Rangpurmoved to top four with six points from the six matches.