MIRPUR, Bangladesh, CMC – Veteran West Indies left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul hammered a brisk half-century as his Sylhet Royals overhauled an imposing total, to beat Rangpur Riders by six wickets in the Bangladesh Premier League here yesterday. Playing at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Rangpur Riders rattled up 197 for four but watched as Sylhet Royals reached the target with an over to spare.
Chanderpaul slammed 51 from just 29 balls with six fours and two sixes, anchoring an upbeat 48-run, opening stand off 26 deliveries with Ireland’s Paul Stirling whose 20 came from 12 balls. Captain Mushfiqur Rahim arrived to play a cameo 56 from 31 balls, adding a further 45 off 23 deliveries for the second wicket with Chanderpaul. Elton Chigumbura (27 not out) and Mominul Haque (23 not out) then put on 39 in an unbroken fifth wicket stand to see their side home. Earlier, opener Shamsur Rahman narrowly missed out on a century with an unbeaten 98 while Imrul Kayes chipped in with 53. In the preceding match at the same venue, Trinidadian all-rounder Kevon Cooper played a minor cameo and snatched four wickets to fire Chittagong Kings to an 89-run victory over Khulna Royal Bengals. Sent in, Chittagong were inspired by Dutchman Ryan ten Doeschate’s unbeaten 95 from 61 balls before Cooper slammed two fours and a six in 15 not out off just five deliveries, as they reached 156 for five off their 20 overs.
Jamaican left-arm seamer Krishmar Santokie finished with two for 30. In reply, the Bengals tumbled for 67 all out off 14.2 overs with Cooper claiming four for 10.
