Duronto Rajshahi now joint leaders in BPL T20

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The atmosphere was electric as the faithful came out in huger numbers to support home side Chittagong Kings, but Duronto Rajshahi spoiled the party by snatching a ninerun victory in a keenly contested match at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium yesterday.

There was a lack of batting fireworks in the low-scoring match but the excitement was provided through a fine bowling effort from Rajshahi.

The two left-arm spinners, Chittagong's Arafat Sunny and Rajshahi's Saqlain Sajib dominated the proceedings under lights, but in the end the effort of Saqlain combined with Pakistan paceman Mohammad Sami brought success for Rajshahi, who continued their winning run with their fourth consecutive victory to share the top spot with Chittagong Kings on eight points.

With the victory Rajshahi also avenged their first-leg defeat against the same opponents.

Rajshahi's dream seemed to be dashed when they were restricted to 126 for six in their share of 20 overs but the bowlers did an excellent job to deliver the win.

Sunny did the main damage in the Rajshahi innings by taking three wickets for 13 runs.

In reply, Chittagong made a confident start but lost composure once Jahurul Islam fell victim of a run-out.

Saqlain then captured two wickets in his first over and in his next he also dismissed the in-form Nasir Jamshed to bring back the excitement in the match. Thereafter it was Pakistan paceman Sami, who took the first hattrick of the competition the other day, who kindled his team's hopes by taking two wickets in one over.

Chittagong were left to score 18 runs from the last two overs but they could manage only eight.

In the last over Chittagong needed 12 runs but could manage only two from the Sami over.

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SCORES IN BRIEF
RAJSHAHI: 126 for 6 in 20 overs (Shahzaib 20, Khalid 14, Mushfiqur 24 not out, Razzaq 19, Sabbir 17, Muktar 16; Sunny 3-13, Cooper 2-17)

CHITTAGONG: 117 for 9 in 20 overs (Jamshed 20, Jahurul 13, Riyad 18, Shamsur 24, Forhad 15 not out ; Sami 2-16, Saqlain 3-22)

Result: Duronto Rajshahi won by nine runs.

Man-of-the-match: Saqlain Sajib.