Rangpur Riders clinched their second victory in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2023 after they beat Khulna Tigers by four wickets in a low-scoring thriller at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Friday.

Pakistani recruit Shoaib Malik was the star with the bat for Rangpur as he struck 44 off 36 balls while Shamim Hossain also played a late cameo of 16 off 10 balls as they reached 131-6 in 19.3 overs to hand Khulna third straight defeat in the tournament.

Earlier, pacer Robiul Haque finished with a career-best bowling figure of 4-22 while Rakibul Hasan, Hasan Mahmud and Azmatullah Omarzai took two wickets each as Rangpur bowled Khulna all out for 130 runs in 19.4 overs after they elected to bowl first.

Khulna’s Pakistani wicketkeeper-batsman Azam Khan made the highest 34 off 23 balls while Yasir Ali and Mohammad Saifuddin scored 25 and 22 runs respectively.

Chasing a below-par target, Rangpur were reduced to 58-4 after the end of the 10th over before Malik put up two crucial stands of 32 and 33 runs with Nurul Hasan Sohan (10) and Shamim respectively to take their side close to victory.

Saifuddin brought a late twist in the game after he dismissed Malik in the penultimate over but Azmatullah smashed Wahab Riaz for a six and a single to take the required seven runs off the first three balls in the final over to give Rangpur a brilliant win at the end.

Saifuddin, Wahab and Nasum Ahmed took two wickets each for Khulna.  

BDST: 1134 HRS, JAN 14, 2023
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