The Rangpur Riders and Khulna Tigers emerged victorious in their respective Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) clashes on Friday in Chattogram.
Rangpur's win secured their spot in the playoffs, affirming their stature as formidable contenders in the tournament. For Khulna, it was a much-needed triumph after enduring five consecutive defeats, providing a timely boost to their campaign. Conversely, Durdanto Dhaka's loss extended their dismal run, marking their tenth defeat in eleven matches, a record losing streak in BPL history.
Rangpur Riders showcased their dominance with a hard-fought 18-run triumph over the Chattogram Challengers. Batting first, Rangpur set a challenging target of 187/8, propelled by Shakib Al Hasan's explosive 62 and the valuable contribution of Mahedi Hasan.
Dwaine Pretorius then dazzled with the ball, scalping 3/14 to stifle the Challengers' chase. Despite a late blitz from Romario Shepherd, Rangpur's total proved insurmountable, securing them a crucial victory.
Meanwhile, Khulna Tigers orchestrated a comfortable 5-wicket win over Durdanto Dhaka in a low-scoring affair. Opting to bat first, Dhaka faltered against Wayne Parnell and Mukidul Islam's menacing spell, managing a modest 128/7.
Khulna's chase was led by Parvez Hossain Emon and Afif Hossain, who steered them to victory with composed batting despite early setbacks. Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam tried to stem the tide with two wickets each, but Khulna's determination prevailed as they clinched victory with 28 balls to spare.