||CF Correspondent ||

Rilee Rossouw smashed a 31 ball-66 not out before pace bowler Shafiul Islam claimed 3-21 as Khulna Tigers secured their third straight victory in the special edition of BPL, thrashing listless Rangpur Rangers by eight wickets at Zahur Ahmed Chwodhury Stadium in Chattogram on Friday.

The victory means Khulna remains the only unbeaten team in the tournament while for Rangpur, it was their fourth straight defeat, leaving them win-less in the tournament so far.

Shafiul got Pakistan recruit Mohammad Amir to his perfect foil as they varied their pace in excellent way to restrict Rangpur for just 137-9, which in the pitch conducive to the batsmen, was never enough. And Khulna, as usually made a mockery of the target to reach there in just 12.3 overs.

Even though Nazmul Hossain Shanto (1) was dismissed cheaply, his fellow opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz gave Khulna high-flying start to make the victory a cake-walk.

He and Rilee Rossouw came up with free flowing batting to help Khulna amass 80 runs in the first six overs and thereby took the side closer to the victory.

Youngster Mukidul Islam Mugdho got the better of Gurbaz against the play as he was removed for 37 off 22, hitting one four and four sixes.

Rossouw then got in-form Mushfiqur as his support and helped the side reach the winning mark without further fuss by sharing 58 off 35 for an undefeated third wicket stand.

Roussouw smashed nine fours and two sixes in his 66 off 31 while Mushfiqur who hit the winning single was not out on run-a-ball-17, sending the ball across the rope twice.

 Being sent to bat first, Rangpur Rangers looked to be on the verge of their fourth straight defeat when they failed to get a fluent start.

But opener Naim Sheikh seemed to play on different surface in which his colleagues failed to make any impression. Two of their most destructive batsmen –Mohammad Shahzad and Cameron Delport, who could utilize the pitch well couldn’t stay long in the crease.

Shahzad scored just 11 while Delport made 4. While Mohammad Amir took out Shahzad, Shafiul got rid of Delport in his first over.