Rajshahi openers set up victory

Duronto Rajshahi 168 for 3 (Tamim 50, Coventry 47) beat Rangpur Riders 163 for 3 (Shamsur 68, Monir 1-23) by seven wickets
Scorecard

Duronto Rajshahi shot up to third in the league after a resounding seven-wicket win over Rangpur Riders. Their fourth victory was largely because of the opening partnership between Tamim Iqbal and Charles Coventry, and their bowlers keeping the Riders' batting in check in the final five overs.

Chasing 163, Tamim and Coventry added 95 for the first wicket before Tamim holed out to Nasir Hossain at long-off in the 12th over. He had scored 50 off 36 balls, with two sixes and four boundaries, pacing the innings according to the needs of his partner Coventry, who got off to a flashy start. Coventry made a 35-ball 47, before a mix-up with Dilshan Munaweera found him well short of the crease in the next over.

After Munaweera fell to a tremendous catch on the boundary by Cameron Borgas, Rajshahi were 131 for 3 in 15.4 overs and the Riders sensed an opening. But Jahurul Islam and Sean Ervine saw Rajshahi home with an over to spare. Jahurul struck three beautiful sixes, one of which was the winning hit straight down the ground, in his 38 off 18 deliveries.

The Riders had decided to bat after winning the toss and their top order, made up of local players, had a good start. Junaid Siddique and Shamsur Rahman added 60 in seven overs and Shamsur added another 55 with Nasir Hossain. Shamsur continued his good form in the competition, hitting his fourth half-century. The 68 off 57 balls was also his highest score in the tournament.

The Riders lost wickets at crucial times, however, especially when Shamsur and Nasir fell in the 16th and 19th overs. Danza Hyatt and Borgas were given the task of making the last five overs count and 49 runs came from it. The three Rajshahi spinners did well again, with Monir Hossain and Munaweera picking up a wicket each.