Marauding Mushfiqur gatecrashes Rajshahi’s party
Photo - BCB , Roton Gomes
|| CF Correspondent ||
Just two days before the IPL auction, in which his name put at the last moment, reportedly by the request of some franchisees, Mushfiqur Rahim showed how valuable he could be even in the shortest format of the cricket.
On Tuesday at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, he ignited the first match of Chattogram phase of Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BBPL) with a sublime 51 ball-96 runs knock, which not only bolstered his T20 credential further but also helped Khulna Tigers chase Rajshahi Royals’ 189-4 with ridiculously ease to record a comprehensive five-wicket victory.
In doing so, Mushfiqur led his side to a second successive victory and also stripped the unbeaten tag of Rajshahi Royals, which won the first two matches in Dhaka.
The diminutive man got dismissed, with his side two runs away from the victory as he tried to bring up the century what could have been his maiden ton in this format.
However with Robbie Frylinck struck the winnings boundary, Khulna strolled to the chase with 192-5 with two balls to spare.
Andre Russell’s side Rajshahi won the first two matches in Dhaka, just toying with their opponents. But here in Chattogram, Mushfiqur Rahim made a mockery with their bowling and smote nine fours and four sixes.
Mushfiqur Rahim’s master-class came at a moment when his side was reeling to a precarious 25-2, losing their both openers Nazmul Hossain Shanto (0) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (7) in the chase of a big target.
He got ably support in Rilee Rossouw, with whom he combined for a 72-run partnership for the third wicket to steady the innings. After the departure of Rossouw for 35 ball-42, Mushfiqur shared another 61-run with Shamsur Rahman Shuvo who made 29 off 20.
Those two partnerships took Khulna to the closer of victory. After the dismissal of Shamsur, Robbie Frylinck kept accompanying Mushfiqur to take the side home. However as Mushfiqur went for his ton and got out, Frylinck (14 not out) hit a boundary through point to confirm the side’s victory.
Mushfiqur’s knock effectively ruined the party of Shoaib Malik who struck 87 off 50 with eight fours and four sixes to help the side post the season’s highest total until Mushfiqur made it second best.
Being sent to bat first, Rajshahi fell in deep trouble when they were reduced to 26-1, losing Liton Das (19) and Hazratullah Zazai (1). Shoaib Malik and Afif Hossain shared 40-run for the third wicket before the latter was dismissed on 19. Ravi Bopara, however, gave Shoiab Malik the apt support and together with them they stitched a partnership of 106 runs.
Malik was out on 87 but Bopara’s lusty blow towards the end helped Rajshahi post a big total, which they aspired despite having a poor start. Bopara was not out on 40 off 26, hitting two fours and as many sixes. Andre Russell, the captain of the side was unbeaten on 13, playing just six balls.
Khulna’s Pakistan recruit Mohammad Amir claimed 2-36.
