BPL 2015 Match # 19: Barisal Bulls Vs Rangpur Riders Played at ZACS on 3 December 2015
Barisal Bulls 75/4 in 12.3 overs (Mahmudullah Riyad 23*, Rony Talukdar 23, Arafat sunny 2/11, Shakib 1/12, Wahab Riaz 1/12) beat Rangpur Riders 104/9 (Jahurul Islam 24, Misbah Ul Huq 22, Al-Amin Hossain 3/30, Mohammad Sami 2/16, RR Emrit 2/18) by 6 wickets in D/L Method the revised target was 75 in 13 Overs
Even rain interruption could not dampen the spirits of the Bulls from Barisal. They won the match against Riders comfortably by 6-wicket (Duckworth/Lewis method).
Put into bat first on a sluggish wicket Riders struggled all the way against very strong probing attack of the Bulls. Some very ordinary casual strokes from top order batsmen like Soumya Sarkar and Shakib created the initial pressure. From there on Riders lost wickets at regular intervals. They could only reach three figures for some big strikes by Al Amin Junior and Wahab Riaz towards the end.
The target of 105 in 20 overs was not going to challenge the Bulls. Rain came as early as the 4th over when Bulls were cruising at 19/1. The target was revised to 75 in 13 overs. Rains rather enlivened the wicket. Ball was coming easily at the bat. Arafat Sunny, Shakib and Wahab Riaz left nothing unturned in creating pressure. But cool headed Mahmudullah led the charge as Bulls cantered home with 3 balls to spare.
This win anchored Bulls firmly among the top of the table with 10 points and assured a safe passage to next stage.
At the end of the match 20 in which Comilla Victorians won Bulls stays just behind them with equal points but marginally less in net run rate.
Barisal Bulls have a very strong pace attack. Pakistan national star in not too distant past Mohammad Sami still remains fast and furious with new ball and at death. Al-Amin is among the top performers of BPL 3. The Caribbean recruit Emrit also appears effective on Bangladesh wicket. Against such an attack the gay cavalier approach of Soumya and Shakib were suicidal.
They attempted two nothing strokes and perished. Once they were gone it was not possible for middle order to absorb the sustained pressure created by quality Bulls attack. Wickets tumbled. Experienced Misbah-ul-Haque tried to hold the fort for a while. But it was not possible on his part alone to play an aggressive innings on a slow wicket having uneven bounce.
Riders could reach 104/9 in allotted overs. Al-Amin Junior and Wahab Riaz struck some lusty blows at the end to take the score over 100. Al-Amin with another haul of 3/30 made his case for establishing in the national team in all formats. He has taken 11 wickets from six matches in BPL 3 so far, only young left arm pacer Abu Hider from Comilla Victorians and ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan from Rangpur Riders are ahead of him with 13-wicket each.
Sami bowled with pace and accuracy in taking 2/16 in his 4 overs while Caribbean recruit RR Emrits chipped in with 2/18.
A target of 105-run in 20 overs were not thought at all unassailable by Bulls batsmen. They set about the target striking 19 for the loss of a wicket by the fourth over when rain came in to halt the proceeding. When match resumed the target was revised to 75 in 13 overs using Duckworth Lewis method. Bulls had to gather themselves again. It became a bit more challenging. Rony Talukdar was removed by Arafat Sunny, Shakib also grabbed one.
Suddenly life returned in the match as experienced Wahab Riaz bowled two probing overs. But cool customer Mahmudullah Riyad kept calm and led his team from the front to take them past the finishing tape with three balls to spare. Bulls kept its momentum and with 10 points from 6 matches assured its berth among the top four.
Bulls will have T20 specialist Chris Gayle Joining their ranks for their remaining matches of the first round and also the business sessions there on. His arrival will boost their strength still further. Lewis will have his idol to open the batting with. Spectators will have brilliant exhibition of aggressive batting if these two get going.
Riders have little worries of qualifying to second round. But they have lost winning momentum. They can only blame their careless batting of the top order for the defeat in the match. Though they possess a very strong bowling attack yet batsmen have to give them score to defend.
BDST: 0933 HRS, DEC 04, 2015
SR
