Talukdar's 61, Russell's freak run out headline Khulna's triumph on BPL opening day

Khulna Tigers romped to their 184-run target against Minister Group Dhaka, winning by five wickets to round off an action-packed opening day in BPL 2022. This was their third 180-plus successful chase in tournament history, having done it twice during the 2019-20 season.

Dhaka had posted 183 for 6 in 20 overs, a formidable total especially considering the capricious Dhaka pitch. Tamim Iqbal and Mohammad Shahzad gave them a fast start, adding 69 in 8.1 overs before Mahmudullah hit the big shots in the end.

Khulna, too, responded brilliantly. Rony Talukdar top-scored with 61, but it was his 72-run second-wicket stand with Andre Fletcher that fired up Khulna's chase. Later, Thisara Perera and Mahedi Hasan took them home with an over to spare, adding 33 runs in 2.3 overs.

Fletcher made 45 off 23 balls with seven fours and two sixes. He struck 22 runs off Rubel Hossain, hitting him for four fours and a six in the fourth over. Talukdar played the anchor role, making 61 off 42 with seven fours and a six.

For Dhaka, Tamim hit 50 off 42 balls, while Shahzad blasted 42 off 27 with eight fours. Their innings got a final flourish from Mahmudullah, who struck three sixes and two fours in his 20-ball 39.

Dhaka innings earned an element of timelessness when Mahedi ran out Andre Russell, who fell short at the non-striker's end after the ball struck both sets of stumps in a incredible instance of geometry.

Dhaka's bowling came unstuck, with Rubel, Isuru Udana and Russell going for 121 runs in their combined 11 overs. Earlier, with the bat, Russell had made only seven runs, which played a part in them not being able to reach 200.