Dream debut lifts Kings

A fairytale debut from 17-year-old Afif Hossain, who finished with figures of 5 for 21, led the Rajshahi Kings to a much-needed six-wicket win over the Chittagong Vikings at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Batting first, the Vikings were restricted to 111 for 9. In reply, the Kings, courtesy of James Franklin's 27-ball 63, reached home in 13.5 overs.

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While the Kings did lose wickets early on, Franklin ensured that the asking rate remained low with constant boundaries. He finished with four sixes and five fours in a splendid innings that not only led Rajshahi to a win, but also helped them maintain their high run-rate.

That is something which could be crucial in terms of reaching the final four.

Saqlain Sajib removed both Nurul Hasan and Mominul Haque for 12 and 21 respectively, while Sabbir Rahman was trapped in front in the 11th over after a 9-ball eight.

However, the day belonged to the teenage off-spinner from Khulna. Afif's extraordinary debut was the reason why the Kings won the game so easily yesterday. The off-spinner, who is actually renowned for his batting prowess in the age-group levels, was taken into the team to counter the left-handed duo of Tamim Iqbal and Chris Gayle.

Not only did the Under-19 vice-captain end up bowling Gayle, he also went on to take five wickets while playing at the top level of any format for the first time in his career.

The evening began with Kesrick Williams bowling Tamim Iqbal out off the very first ball. In the next over Anamul Haque was stumped courtesy of a beautiful delivery from Mehedi Hasan Miraz.

Afif was introduced into the attack after that and he struck immediately, removing Jahurul Islam in the fifth over, although replays though suggested that Afif was a bit lucky as Jahurul had edged that ball on to his pads.

But he did not need any luck for the rest of his wickets. His slow loopy deliveries seemed almost unplayable yesterday.

He removed Gayle in the seventh over with a flighted straighter delivery, which Gayle failed to clip towards the leg side, and got bowled.  Zakir was caught in the deep in the ninth over, while Saqlain Sajib was trapped in front in the 13th. His final wicket came off the fifth ball of over number 13, when a wide turner got Imran Khan caught behind.

By then the Vikings had been reduced to 70 for 8 with Shoaib Malik being their sole fighter. Had the Pakistan all-rounder not scored a 54-ball 67, they would have been in deeper trouble. He hit three sixes and six fours during the innings, a number of which came towards the end and helped the Vikings cross the 100-run mark.

However despite the defeat, Rajshahi's fate in terms of qualifying for the final four, is not in their own hands. They are currently placed third with 12 points. If the Rangpur Riders and the Khulna Titans win their respective games today, Rajshahi will be knocked out. For Rajshahi to qualify they will need either Rangpur or Khulna to lose today.

As of now, Dhaka Dynamites and Chittagong Vikings are the only teams to have confirmed their places in the last four.