Gurbaz-Rossouw too good for Chattogram

Khulna Tigers secured an easy win in the second match of the day as they beat Chattogram Challengers by eight wickets in the fourth match of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 2019. 

Chattogram won their first match but were dominated in the second as their bowlers had no reply to the batting firepower of Khulna in Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rilee Rossouw and Mushfiqur Rahim.

Batting first, Chattogram had a good start to their innings but failed to build on that as they lost wickets on a regular basis, only for a Muktar Ali cameo at the end to take them to 144. 

Chasing 145, Khulna lost Nazmul Hossain Shanto early but Rahmanullah and Rossouw blasted the bowlers all around the park to give them the advantage within the powerplay. And even when Rahmanullah was out, Rossouw continued with Mushfiqur to ensure the win. 

Rilee Rossouw was adjudged Man of the Match for his blistering 64. 

First innings 

Winning the toss, Khulna skipper Mushfiqur Rahim invited Chattogram to bat first. Chattogram had one change to their side, Lendl Simmons replacing Ryan Burl. 

Chattogram were off to a good start as their opening pair added 45 runs before Shafiul Islam went through Simmons' defences to break the stand. They were dealt with another blow soon when Shahidul Islam picked up Chadwick Walton to reduce Chattogram to 49-2. 

The hero for Chattogram in the last match, Imrul Kayes, did not last long either as he was run out for 12. 

Nurul Hasan Sohan and Nasir Hossain looked to steady the ship for the portsiders with a 37-run stand, but that too was broken courtesy of some agile fielding from Nazmul Hossain Shanto. Shanto covered his ground quickly and sent in a pinpoint throw to see Nurul come short and getting back to the hut for 19.

Nasir went back in the very next over for 24 when he gave leg-spinner Aminul Islam Biplob an easy return catch to see his side reduce to 109-5. 

Protea allrounder Robbie Frylinck sent Chattogram skipper Rayad Emrit back in the 18th over which almost diminished Chattogram's hope for reaching a fighting total. 

But a late cameo from Muktar Ali saw Chattogram pass the 140-hurdle to end up on 144-6. 

Muktar stayed unbeaten on 29 off 14 deliveries. 

Second Innings

In pursuit, Khulna Tigers were dealt an early blow when Nazmul Hossain was stumped for only four. Nazmul looked to defend on the front foot but missed Nasum Ahmed's delivery, and Nurul Hasan's quick reflexes ensured that he was sent back. 

But that did not hold back Rahmanullah Gurbaz or Rilee Rossouw from wreaking havoc, specially Rahmanullah. With a magnificent display of shot play, Rahmanullah brought up his fifty off only 18 deliveries, which is the second-fastest fifty in BPL history. Rahmanullah reached his fifty in the sixth over of the powerplay, when he hit Muktar Ali for two sixes and two fours. He got out instantly after reaching his fifty in the same over when he tried to clear the long-on boundary but only managed to find Kesrick Williams at the boundary. 

But along with skipper Mushfiqur Rahim, Rossouw continued on his merry way. He picked up his fifty off 32 deliveries, consisting 6 fours and 2 sixes. 

He and Mushfiq ensured that they did not lose any more wickets and ended the match with 37 deliveries to spare to ensure an eight-wicket win. 

Rossouw was unbeaten on 64 with Mushfiq being unbeaten on 28. Nasum Ahmed and Muktar Ali picked up a wicket each.