Chittagong: Rangpur Riders compiled 164-7 against Chittagong Kings in their eighth match in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), riding on a rapid 28-ball 59 from Pakistan recruit Khushdil Shah at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rangpur was put into bat first and faced a challenging beginning. The team, which remains unbeaten in the tournament, lost youngster Towfique Khan Tushar for just 5 runs, while Steven Taylor struggled to add to the scoreboard. Saif Hassan, despite being in good form, also found the wicket difficult for his shots. The situation worsened as Aliss Al Islam dismissed Saif Hasan and Naeem Islam claimed Taylor's wicket, leaving Rangpur at a precarious 67-3 in 10.2 overs.
Taylor managed to score 39 runs but consumed 32 balls and hit only two fours. Arafat Sunny further compounded Rangpur's woes by removing the in-form Iftikhar Ahmed for a mere 3 runs.
Khushdil then took charge, keeping Rangpur's innings flowing and seeming to play on a different surface altogether. On a pitch where others struggled, Khushdil executed his shots with ease, unsettling the bowlers. Despite minimal support from the other end, his solo effort drove the team past 150. His innings included two fours and seven sixes.
For Chittagong, Aliss Al Islam and Mohammad Wasim took two wickets each.