Khulna Tigers delivered a stellar bowling performance to eliminate the star-studded Rangpur Riders with a commanding nine-wicket win at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Monday. Spinners Nasum Ahmed and Mehedi Hasan Miraz led the charge, dismantling Rangpur’s lineup with precision.
Rangpur, who had bolstered their squad with big names like Andre Russell, Tim David, and James Vince for the crucial eliminator, were left stunned as Khulna’s spin attack spun a web around them. Nasum set the tone early, and Miraz quickly followed suit, while Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with the key wicket of Russell. Rangpur crumbled, getting bowled out for just 85 runs.
The trouble started almost immediately for Rangpur. Soumya Sarkar was run out without facing a ball after a mix-up with Vince in just the second delivery of the innings. Vince himself couldn’t adjust to the pace of a Nasum delivery, chipping a catch back to the bowler, who took a spectacular diving grab.
Promoted up the order, Mahedi Hasan couldn’t solve the riddle of the left-arm spin either, falling for one as he misjudged a delivery from Nasum. Rangpur continued to unravel, losing Saif Hassan to a well-placed fielder at deep mid-wicket and Mohammad Saifuddin leg-before to Hasan Mahmud, leaving them reeling at 15 for 5.
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The spin trio of Nasum, Miraz, and Nawaz continued their rampage, dismissing David, Russell, and Rakibul Hasan to sink Rangpur to 51 for 9. A late flourish by Akif Javed, who smashed two sixes in his 18-ball 32, pushed Rangpur to a modest 85 before he was taken by Mushfik Hasan.
In response, Khulna lost their skipper Miraz early, but Mohammad Naim made sure the chase was a breeze. Taking full advantage of the Powerplay, Naim punished loose deliveries and guided Khulna to 51 runs in the first six overs. He sealed the win in style, smashing a six off Rakibul Hasan to finish on an unbeaten 48 off 33 balls, with Alex Ross unbeaten on 29 at the other end.
Khulna wrapped up the match with 9.4 overs to spare, sending a strong message as they moved forward in the tournament while Rangpur bowed out with their fifth straight defeat.
