Rajshahi keep hopes alive for BPL

 Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim led the side from the front to script Duronto Rajshahi’s consecutive second victory when they outgunned Khulna Royal Bengals by six wickets at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. Khulna’s top order’s sloppy batting caused their downfall when they amassed just 145 for seven. Despite a hiccup in the midway, Rajshahi fluently overhauled the target within five balls to spare to hand Khulna their second defeat.
Unlike Khulna, Rajshahi got off to a superb start in the chase of a moderate total. The way Zunaed Siddique provided the firework to dismantle Khulna’s bowling, it seemed Rajshahi would not have to sweat hard. But Shakib brought back Khulna in the contention having double strike removing Zunaed and Marlon Samuels in the space of four balls. Zunaed struck 26 off 14 with four fours and a six.
Nasir Hossain then dismissed Fawad Alam in a delivery that kept low to induce him.
In the wake of growing danger, Shahzaib, playing his first match, held his nerve brilliantly as the skipper Mushfiqur Rahim also settled him in the crease. Once he got his eye in, Mushfiqur Rahim took the anchor role to sail the side home. The duo squeezed the side closer to victory sharing 75-run partnership that came to an end after Shahzaib was trapped run-out. Shahzaiab struck 52 off 46 with six fours. Mushfiqur however left the ground after winning the match for the side. He was unbeaten on 47 off 35 clattering five fours and a six.
Foreign players’ downfall was the catalyst behind Khulna’s mediocre score. Their top four batsmen- Shivnarine Chanderpaul (4), Herschelle Gibbs (18), Sanath Jayasuriya (12) and Dwayne Smith (17) all failed to deliver simultaneously as Khulna made a horrible start against a comparatively weaker opponent Duronto Rajshahi.
Shakib Al Hasan stood tall amidst the odds and held together the innings nicely. He got an ably support in Nasir Hossain. They shared a 67-run for the fifth wicket to rescue the side from embarrassing situation. While Shakib pounded the bowlers at will, Nasir Hossain struggled to get his feet. Fawad Alam rescued Duronto Rajshahi by dismissing Shakib before he tore apart Khulna completely. Shakib blasted 44 off 26 with five fours and a six.
Andre Russell was the next man who was capable to do severe damage but Mohammad Sami scattered his wicket in a gem of pace bowling effort to ensure Khulna’s target would be gettable for them

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