The Daily Morning Voice Online Desk: Opener Rony Talukdar hit the fastest half-century by a Bangladeshi batter in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 history as Rangpur Riders secured a comprehensive 34-run victory over Comilla Victorians on Friday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Rony brought up his half-century off just 19 balls before being out for 67 off 31, smashing 11 fours and one six. Thanks to his fluent knock, Rangpur compiled 176-5, which was enough to seal the deal as Comilla were bowled out for 142 in 19.1 overs.

Rony is fifth in the list in terms of hitting fastest BPL fifty. West Indies’s Sunil Narine with 13 ball-fifty tops the list while Pakistan’s Ahmed Shehzad (13 balls), Sri Lanka’s Sekugge Prasanna (18 balls) and England’s Will Jacks (18 balls) followed him. Thanks to Rony’s whirlwind knock, Rangpur made a flying start, bringing up 55 runs in the first powerplay. He and Naim Sheikh set the platform of a big total, combining for an 84-run in 8.4 overs for the opening stand. Pakistan recruit Khushdil Shah stalled the progress, dismissing Rony for 67. But Shoaib Malik kept the pace even though Naim failed to accelerate the scoreboard after a slow start.

As Shoaib Malik was trapped run out for 26 ball-33, Rangpur’s hope to go past 200 plus total was dented. Naim scored 29 while captain Nurul Hasan Sohan was not out on 19. Fast bowler Hasan claimed 3-20 to be the highest wicket-taker for Rangpur but Sikandar Raza and Rakibul Hasan played the crucial role, taking the prized scalp of Dawid Malan and Liton Das. Rakibul broke through with the wicket of Liton for 10 before Raza took out Dawid Malan for 17 to spin Comilla out of the game. Captain Imrul Kayes made 23 ball-35 only to reduce the margin. Raza and Robiul Haque took two wickets each.