Putting up a stellar performance, Rangpur Riders defeated Chattogram Challengers by 53 runs in a Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) clash at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Saturday.
An explosive batting performance, inspired by half-centuries from Reeza Hendricks and James Neesham, took Rangpur to a massive score of 211/3 in 20 overs, the first 200-plus score by any team. This was Neesham’s first match in BPL.
The Challengers’ chase faltered from the start as Josh Brown fell cheaply to Shakib Al Hasan. Shaykat Ali scored a half-century, albeit a bit slowly, but wickets kept falling around him.
A late flurry from Shuvagata Hom (31*) provided little consolation for Chattogram. Shakib (2/24) and the indomitable James Neesham (2/32) performed brilliantly with the ball for Rangpur, dashing any chances of a comeback.