Rajshahi Royals lift maiden Bangabandhu BPL trophy

Rajshahi Royals put up a clinical performance to lift the title of the special edition of BPL, dedicated to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to mark his birth centenary, after securing a 21-run win over Khulna Tigers in the final at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday.

A well-composed half-century of Irfan Shukkur was complemented by two whirlwind knocks of Mohammad Nawaz and captain Andre Russell as Rajshahi compiled a decent 170-4 after being asked to bat first.

Khulna kept them flowing in most part of the game but Rajshahi showed the stubbornness to win the trophy and came back in style overcoming all the odds to hold Khulna back to 149-8.

Shukkur struck a 35 ball-52, including six fours and two sixes that laid the platform, which latter utilised well by Nawaz and Russell.

Nawaz smashed a 20 ball-41 not out, clobbering six fours and two sixes while Russell hit an unbeaten 27 off 16, with three sixes, one of which against Mohammad Amir over deep midwicket was 115 meter long. That was comfortably the longest six of the tournament.

With the duo giving talismanic impetus, Rajshahi scored 66 runs in the last five overs, reports BSS.

Rajshahi’s start was not as fluent as it should be in a pitch that was not entirely bowling friendly.

Mohammad Amir got the better of opener Afif Hossain after he scored just 10. Liton Das and Shukkur shared 49 runs for the second wicket stand but that came at slower pace.

Shafiul Islam broke through with the wicket of Liton who made 25 off 28.

Robbie Frylinck worsened the situation further, having dismissed Shoaib Malik for 9.

But Shukkur completed his half-century before Amir came back to his second spell to dismiss him.

However Russell and Nawaz ensured the hard work of Shukkur wouldn’t be wasted as they came up with a bang to help Rajshahi reach a position that looked comfortable, considering the pressure of the final.

Amir claimed 2-35 while Frylinck and Shafiul picked up one wicket apiece.

Khulna’s inform openers-Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz failed to deliver in the most crucial game, leaving the side at perilous 11-2 in just second over.

Having blasted a 115 not out and 78 not out in the previous two games, Shanto was dismissed by Mohammad Irfan for naught in the second ball of the innings while Abu Jayed had Miraz caught by Shoaib Malik for 2.

Shamshur Rahman Shuvo and Rilee Rossouw responded well despite being in cornered situation. With the help of luck and pluck, they steadied the ship, combining for 74-run for the third wicket stand.

They were aided by some poor fielding of Rajshahi bowlers-Abu Jayed Rahi put down a simple catch of Rossouw at point when he was on 18, while there was numerous misfielding.

With the duo looking to take the match away, Mohammad Nawaz removed Rossouw for 26 ball-37 in which the South African recruit hit a six and a four.

Shamshur went on to complete his half-century and with captain Mushfiqur Rahim in the company, it looked anybody’s game still.

Kamrul Islam Rabbi however put Rajshahi on top, dealing a double strike that saw him dismissing Shuvo and Najbullah Zadran in the same over.

Shuvo smote four fours and two sixes in his 52 off 43 while Zadran made just 4.

Onus was on then captain Mushfiqur and Robbie Frylinck, who was not in form with the willow throughout the innings.

Mushfiqur still kept the Khulna fans interest with some big shots around the park but a searing Yorker of his opposite number Russell rattled him stump as he was on 21 off 15 with two fours and a six.

With the dismissal of Mushfiqur, Khulna’s hope to clinch the maiden trophy ruined completely.

Mohammad Irfan then got rid of Frylinck for 12 before Russell cleaned up the tail with an intriguing show of death bowling.

Irfan, Russell and Kamrul Islam Rabbi snared two wickets apiece.

By being the champions, Rajshahi got the trophy worth BDT 2 million (20 lac). And with that the curtain of the 40-day long spectacle was brought down amid the fireworks.