Consolation for Vikings

Chittagong Vikings concluded their Bangladesh Premier League campaign with a consolatory 45-run win over Rajshahi Kings in their dead rubber encounter at the Sher-e-Bangla National stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

This is the Vikings' third win from 12 matches while Rajshahi, last editions runners-up, finished with four wins.

Asked to bat, Chittagong posted a huge 194 for 2 riding on a blistering unbeaten 56 ball 80 run knock from English opener Luis Reece. Reece alongside Luke Ronchi handed the Vikings a flying start as they added 69 runs for the opening stand before the latter was dismissed on 42 runs off 30 balls.

Zimbabwean Sikandar Raza also remained not out as he ended on 42 runs with three sixes and four boundaries as he and Reece added another 67 in the last five overs. Mehedi Hasan Miraz scalped both the Chittagong wickets.

In reply, Rajshahi kept losing wickets at regular intervals and aside from Samit Patel, who top scored for the side with 62 off just 26 balls featuring five sixes and six fours, none of the other batsmen made significant contributions as the Kings ended their chase on 149 for 9 in 20 overs.

Off spinner Raza, who was on a hat-trick at one point, was the pick of the bowlers for Rajshahi as he grabbed four wickets.