Tamim Iqbal sounded well with an unbeaten 60 runs after an interval to steer Khulna Tigers to celebrate their first victory of this season of the BPL on Tuesday at Zahur Ahmed Stadium, Chottagram.
Rangpur Riders could manage a paltry 129 runs against the storming bowling attack after being sent to bat first to offer a great opportunity for the Khulna Tigers to taste their first win when they (Khulna Tigers) made it success losing only one wicket and about two overs to play.
Taking the decision to bowl first, Pakistani pace duo Wahab Reaz and Amad Butt, along with Bangladeshi Nahidul Islam just demolished the Rangpur Riders batting to book them on 129 runs after sharing nine wickets among them.
The Pakistani seamers, specially, Wahab Reaz accompanied by his compatriot Amad Butt were very much devastating to take seven wickets, with grabbing four and three wickets respectively when Nahidul Islam, the right arm off-break of Bangladesh claimed two wickets to pave way of Khula Tigers first victory.
Khulna Tigers, who suffered all their four matches played this season, enjoyed the deserved victory.
Rangpur Riders, who won two out of their three previous matches and are on third position on the points table, eyeing to improve the position, suffered second defeat.
On the day, against Khulna Tigers, the bottom side of the point table, struck a huge blow with having the first wicket for no runs on the scoreboard with Nahidul Islam picked up the big wicket of opener Rony Talukder.
Despite losing the first wicket in the very first ball, it looked one down Pervej Hossain Emon and Mohammed Naim were going to reform the innings. But Naim was caught and bowled for 13 runs to be the second victim of Nahid, who just halted the partnership on 22.
After losing two wickets for 22 Rangpur Riders were not look in big trouble when Mahedi Hassan joined the opener Pervej Emon, who was struggling with keeping his side intact confidently but could not last a long when Wahab Reaz claimed his first wicket.
Pervej Emon, was the team’s second highest 25 with three fours and one six.
Mahadi Hassan tried hard to play a big innings to convey the team to a respectable position but could go afar as was caught by Azam Khan off Amad Butt when the Pakistani bowler made the real damage when struck shortly to remove Shoaib Malik, the most dependable batters for nine with Rangpur Riders were on 74.
After losing four wickets for 74 runs Rangpur Riders lost rest of their five wickets in a regular interval, when apart from 12 runs from Rakibu Hassan, none of them could score double figure.
Unbeaten 60 runs off 47 balls from opener Tamim Iqbal and 38 off 42 balls from Mahmudul Hassan Joy ensured an easy nine wicket win for Khulna Tigers.
Tamim Iqbal, who looked to get back his real form in his 60 runs innings smashed two sixes and four boundaries.
