All-round Samuels shines for Rajshahi

In a clash between two teams who were yet to get off the mark in the Bangladesh Premier League, Duronto Rajshahi beat Sylhet Royals by 16 runs in Mirpur.

Rajshahi, who chose to bat, were off to a shaky start: they lost both their openers within the first five overs to be 25 for 2. However, Marlon Samuels managed a quick 72 from No. 3 to dig them out of trouble. The West Indies batsman was well supported by the captain, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Pakistan's Abdul Razzaq. Samuels built half-century stands with Rahim and Razzaq, to carry the side to 171 for 8. Sylhet's icon player, Alok Kapali, picked up three wickets - including that of Samuels - in two overs with his legspin but was very expensive.

Sylhet's top order all contributed in the chase, but just could not score quick enough to take the game. Kamran Akmal, the keeper from Pakistan, anchored the chase with 56, while the rest of the top order got into double digits. But the Rajshahi bowlers, barring five expensive overs from Syed Rasel and Qaiser Abbas, kept a tight hold on things to help their team register first points in the league. Samuels backed up his fine performance with the bat with four overs for 22 runs and the wicket of Imrul Kayes, to secure the Man of the Match award.