Young off-spinner Afif Hossain’s five-for on his debut in the Bangladesh Premier League and James Franklin’s whirlwind half century helped Rajshahi Kings beat Chittagong Vikings by six wickets to keep their hopes alive for the qualifier.
Afif, currently the vice-captain of Bangladesh Under-19 squad and known as a batting all-rounder, grabbed 5-21 to restrict Vikings to 111-9 and later James Franklin scored an unbeaten 63 runs to help Kings reach 112-4 in 13.4 overs.
Kings, who won the toss, made the best possible start as Kesrick Williams knocked the off-stump of in-form Vikings skipper Tamim Iqbal (0) with the first delivery of the innings.
Mehedi Hasan Miraz got rid of Anamul Haque (eight) but Jahirul Islam started to counter attack as he struck first two balls of Afif for boundary.
But the teen-ager got over him as trapped him leg-before in the next ball though the batsman might consider himself unlucky for being given out despite a big inside edge.
Afif then picked up a huge scalp as West Indian Chris Gayle, who struggled throughout the innings against Mehedi, was bowled after it ricocheted off his leg while he tried to heave.
Afif picked up Zakir Hassan in the first ball of his next over, the seventh of the innings to leave Vikings reeling on 37-5.
He got a double-wicket maiden to ensure Vikings slump to a lowly score in his last over.
But Pakistani Shoib Malik made lone fight and remained not out on 67 off 54 balls with six boundaries and three sixes but that was not enough to post enough runs on the board.
Kings opener Mominul Haque (21) and Nurul Hasan made 32-run stand and though they got out within five runs but Frankilin’s swash-buckling 63 not out off just 27 balls with four fours and five sixes to guide his side home.
Brief Scores
Chittagong Vikings 111-9 in 20 overs (Malik 67 not out; Afif 5-21, Williams 2-11) v Rajshahi Kings 112-4 in 13.5 overs (Franklin 63, Mominul 21; Saqlain 2-9, Imran jr 2-30)
Result: Rajshahi Kings won by 6 wickets.
Man of the match: Afif Hossain (Rajshahi Kings)
Source: New Age