The Daily Morning Voice Online Desk: Shoaib Malik once again starred with a match-winning performance for Rangpur Riders as the veteran all-rounder smashed 75 runs off 45 balls to set up a 55-run win over Chattogram Challengers at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Monday. Nurul Hasan Sohan’s side posted 179-6 after being invited to bat first and came back with a clinical display with the ball to bundle out Chattogram for 124 mid-way into the 17th over.

Batting first, Rangpur got off to a sluggish start and they were reduced to 47 for three in the ninth over following the dismissal of opener Mohammad Naim who once again had a difficult stay at the crease scoring 34 runs off 29 balls. Malik took responsibility and dug Rangpur out as he put together a 105-run stand with Azmatullah Omarzai who hit four sixes and one four for his 24-ball 42 before he fell to Mehedi Rana, while Malik remained unbeaten helping Rangpur post a challenging total.

Chattogram Skipper Shuvagata Hom picked up two wickets for 13 runs while Rana conceded 39 runs for his three scalps. In reply, Chattogram’s hurried approach saw them start the innings at a decent pace but the loss of wickets at regular intervals didn’t help their cause as they were reduced to 77 for four in the 10th over. To make things worse, Chattogram batter Afif Hossain fell ill during the match and didn’t walk out to bat as he went back to the team hotel.

Skipper Shuvagat Hom’s 31-ball 52 where he smashed four sixes and fours was the highlight of Chattogram’s batting effort but the hopes of a Chattogram win were buried with the loss of their captain’s wicket as they were bundled out for 124. The ever-reliable left-arm spin of Rakibul Hasan did the damage upfront as he picked up two wickets for 24 runs, and Pakistan speedster Haris Rauf scalped three wickets for 17 runs.