Rajshahi end on 166-8

Rajshahi Royals have scored 166-8 against Chattogram Challengers in the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 2019-20. 

Both the regular captains of the sides, Mahmudullah Riyad and Andre Russell, returned to their respective sides after recovering from injury. Winning the toss, Chattogram Challengers skipper Mahmudullah elected to field first. 

Batting first, Rajshahi were struck an early blow as Rubel Hossain sent back Afif Hossain for 9. Rajshahi could have been in even more trouble but Kesrick Williams missed a sitter to give Liton Das a life on 14. 

Getting an opportunity, Liton went on to pick up his fifty despite Irfan Shukkur being run out trying to steal a single. Liton finally went back for 56 in the 13th over when he was caught by Nurul Hasan Sohan off Ziaur Rahman.

Russell looked like he was in the groove as he started to blast the bowlers but only managed to score 20 before getting dismissed to Rubel. Neither of Ravi Bopara and Alok Kapali lasted long as they both went back for 4 and 1 respectively, reducing Rajshahi to 135-6.

Rajshahi's hopes for reaching a big total was struck a huge blow when Ziaur Rahman picked up his third scalp of the game as Shoaib Malik gave a simple catch to Muktar Ali at deep mid-wicket for 28.

With the help of a cameo from Farhad Reza of 21 from 8 deliveries, Rajshahi managed to score 166-8.

Ziaur and Rubel picked up three wickets each for Chattogram.