Rangpur Riders, after an impressive eight-match winning streak, have now suffered three consecutive defeats. Chattogram Kings’ victory also confirmed Dhaka Capitals’ elimination from the tournament.
The match was already tilting in favor of Chattogram Kings, but Rangpur Riders were still fighting. Their last hope was to dismiss Chattogram’s final specialist batter, Haider Ali. If Rangpur could have taken his wicket, the match could have gone down to the wire. However, Haider Ali denied them any such chance. The Pakistani batter finished the game in style, smashing four consecutive sixes off his compatriot Akif Javed, Rangpur’s best bowler. With this five-wicket win, Chattogram Kings are now just a step away from securing their place in the playoffs.
Rangpur’s Losing Streak Continues
Ahead of the match, Rangpur coach Mickey Arthur admitted they were searching for their lost momentum. Unfortunately, they couldn’t find it here either. After cruising into the playoffs with eight straight wins, they have now lost three games in a row. Meanwhile, Chattogram Kings, who returned to action after a week-long break following the Chattogram phase, found their momentum with a crucial win.
On Wednesday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Chattogram Kings restricted Rangpur to 143 runs with disciplined bowling and chased the target comfortably with 14 balls to spare.
Haider Ali’s Match-Winning Cameo
No Chattogram batter reached a half-century, nor was there any fifty-run partnership. Yet, collective contributions ensured they crossed the finish line. Haider Ali stole the show with a match-winning unbeaten knock of 48 runs off just 18 balls, smashing six sixes.
Rangpur’s Powerplay Struggles
Rangpur Riders were in trouble right from the start. They failed to score quickly in the powerplay and lost three wickets early.
The match began with Chattogram’s Binura Fernando, returning to the XI, delivering a maiden over. Steven Taylor (0 off 7) failed to get off the mark and was bowled by Shoriful Islam in the next over.
Saif Hassan, who started with two boundaries, failed to continue and was dismissed for 8 off 8 balls. Soumya Sarkar (23 off 17) looked in good touch but was run out after a brilliant effort from Chattogram captain and wicketkeeper Mohammad Mithun.
At the end of the powerplay, Rangpur Riders were struggling at 37/3.
Sohan’s Uncharacteristic Knock
After the powerplay, Iftikhar Ahmed and Nurul Hasan Sohan tried to rebuild the innings. However, both struggled to accelerate. Even after hitting a boundary each off Rahatul Ferdous’ over, their scoring rate remained slow. By the 11th over, Rangpur’s total was only 60 runs.
Sohan, unable to break free, was eventually dismissed for just 9 runs off 21 balls while attempting a big shot against Khaled Ahmed. This became the slowest innings (strike rate: 42.85) by any batter who played at least 20 balls in this BPL season.
Iftikhar Ahmed Steps Up in Khushdil Shah’s Absence
With Rangpur’s best performer, Khushdil Shah, returning to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy camp, the team looked to Iftikhar Ahmed for leadership with the bat. After failing in the last three games, the experienced batter finally delivered.
Irfan Shukkur, who replaced Khushdil, was dismissed for just 1 run. With the team struggling at 68/5, Iftikhar partnered with Sheikh Mahedi Hasan to stabilize the innings.
Sheikh Mahedi, after starting with a boundary, focused on holding his wicket, while Iftikhar took charge of scoring.
At the time of Sohan’s dismissal, Iftikhar had scored 16 off 16 balls. He then shifted gears, smashing two consecutive sixes off Khaled Ahmed to bring up his fifty in 39 balls.
He finished strongly, hitting a four and a six in the final over off Shoriful Islam to remain unbeaten on 65 off 47 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes), registering his first fifty of this BPL season.
Sheikh Mahedi also played a crucial role, staying unbeaten on 22 off 20 balls. Their 75-run unbeaten partnership helped Rangpur reach 143/5.
Chattogram’s Slow Powerplay Start
Just like Rangpur, Chattogram Kings also struggled in the powerplay. They were also missing a key player, Usman Khan, who returned to Pakistan. His replacement, Lahiru Milantha, started with a boundary but was dismissed for 6 by Akif Javed.
Graham Clark, batting at No. 3, hit two early boundaries and a six off Akif but was cleaned up by a brilliant yorker from the left-arm pacer.
Chattogram Kings ended the powerplay at a modest 29/2.
Parvez Hossain and Mohammad Mithun’s Contrasting Approaches
Parvez Hossain Emon, who has struggled in this BPL season, took a cautious approach and played very slowly. At one point, he was on 11 runs from 16 balls.
In the eighth over, he finally looked to break free with a six off Raqibul Islam, but then went back into his shell.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Mithun played aggressively, hitting a six off Mohammad Saifuddin’s full toss and another off a free hit. However, he was dismissed the same over after dragging the ball onto his stumps (20 off 15 balls).
Parvez-Haider Partnership Guides Chattogram
After Mithun’s dismissal, Parvez finally shifted gears. He pulled Nahid Rana for a massive six and followed it up with a boundary. Haider Ali, who joined him at the crease, wasted no time and immediately smashed two consecutive sixes off Raqibul Islam.
Despite picking up the pace, Parvez missed out on a fifty, getting caught and bowled by Saifuddin for 41 off 43 balls.
Their 43-run partnership in 34 balls had already put Chattogram in a winning position.
Haider Ali’s Finishing Touch
Chattogram was looking at Shamim Hossain to finish the job, and he gave hope with back-to-back boundaries. However, he was soon run out, putting the team under slight pressure.
At that point, Haider Ali was Chattogram’s only remaining specialist batter. If he got out, they would have been in trouble, with Rahatul Ferdous at No. 7 and four bowlers to follow.
But Haider Ali ensured there were no hiccups. He displayed sheer power, smashing four consecutive sixes to seal the match in stunning fashion.
Match Summary:
- Rangpur Riders – 143/5 in 20 overs
- Top Scorers: Iftikhar Ahmed 65* (47), Soumya Sarkar 23 (17), Sheikh Mahedi Hasan 22* (20)
Best Bowlers (Chattogram Kings):
- Binura Fernando – 4-1-15-0
- Shoriful Islam – 4-0-34-1
- Khaled Ahmed – 4-0-44-2
- Shamim Hossain – 1-0-10-1
- Chattogram Kings – 148/5 in 17.4 overs
- Top Scorers: Haider Ali 48* (18), Parvez Hossain 41 (43), Mohammad Mithun 20 (15)
Best Bowlers (Rangpur Riders):
- Sheikh Mahedi Hasan – 4-0-23-0
- Iftikhar Ahmed – 3-0-14-0
- Akif Javed – 3.4-0-37-2
- Mohammad Saifuddin – 2-0-25-2
Result: Chattogram Kings won by 5 wickets.
Player of the Match: Haider Ali