Amid controversies surrounding player salaries and internal conflicts, Rajshahi seemed like the underdog compared to a dominant Rangpur team. With Rangpur riding high on an eight-match winning streak, the cricketing world was shocked as Rajshahi delivered a powerful performance to end their run.
On the final day of the Chattogram phase of the BPL, Durbar Rajshahi defeated Rangpur Riders by 24 runs at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. Chasing a target of 171, Rangpur crumbled for 146 in 19.2 overs.
This marked Rangpur’s first defeat after 11 straight wins, although they still top the points table with eight victories in nine matches. Meanwhile, Rajshahi climbed to fourth place with four wins in 10 matches.
The star of the match was Ryan Burl, who shone with the ball despite failing with the bat. Burl, dismissed for a duck on his first ball, made a remarkable comeback, claiming four wickets, including a spectacular return catch. It was the first four-wicket haul in the Zimbabwean’s 152-match T20 career.
In the batting department, Sabbir Hossain, back in the XI after three games, and Yasir Ali Chowdhury were instrumental. Sabbir played a brisk cameo, scoring 39 off 19 balls, while Yasir smashed 60 off 32 balls, including six towering sixes. Yasir’s six tally for the tournament now stands at 24.
Match Summary
Rajshahi’s Innings:
Batting first, Rajshahi started well but stumbled in the final overs. Sabbir was aggressive early on, hitting four boundaries and three sixes. Yasir followed up with a stormy fifty, accelerating after a cautious start. However, the team managed only 18 runs in the last 26 balls, losing six wickets in the process.
Khushdil Shah and Akif Javed shone with the ball for Rangpur, each claiming three wickets.
Rangpur’s Chase:
Rangpur’s innings got off to a rocky start, losing three wickets within four overs. Taskin Ahmed dismissed debutant Irfan Shukkur in the first over, while Meherob Hasan took two key wickets in the fourth.
Saif Hassan (43 off 29) and Khushdil Shah (14) attempted a recovery but couldn’t sustain the momentum. Captain Nurul Hasan Sohan kept Rangpur’s hopes alive with a fighting 41 off 26 balls, but Ryan Burl’s disciplined bowling snuffed out their chances. Burl’s figures of 4-22 sealed the match for Rajshahi.
Brief Scores
Durbar Rajshahi: 170/9 in 20 overs (Sabbir 39, Yasir 60, Khushdil 3/31, Akif 3/23)
Rangpur Riders: 146 in 19.2 overs (Sohan 41, Saif 43, Burl 4/22, Taskin 2/20)
Result: Rajshahi won by 24 runs.
Player of the Match: Ryan Burl.
