Shafiul claims five as Khulna sink Rajshahi

Shafiul Islam became only the third bowler in the season to claim five wickets in a match as Khulna Titans crushed Rajshahi Kings by 68 runs in the Bangladesh Premier League on Monday.
Shafiul finished with 5-26 helping Khulna dismiss Rajshahi for 145 runs in 19 overs after they had posted season’s highest 213-5 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. 
Promising Under-19 batsman Afif Hossain struck an unbeaten 55 off 38 balls while Nicolas Pooran added 57 off 26 balls as Khulna batsmen made merry on a batting friendly pitch after they were sent to bat first. 
Opener Nazmul Hossain Shanto gave Khulna a rollicking start with 49 off 31 balls while Carlos Brathwaite provided the finishing with his 34 off 14 balls including three fours and as many sixes as Khulna surpassed Chittagong Vikings’ 211-5 to record tournament’s highest score this season.
Any hopes Rajshahi had to overhaul the total were quickly dashed by Shafiul Islam and Abu Jayed, who shared six wickets between them to leave the side wobbling at 80-6.
Shafiul led the attack with four wickets in his first three overs before he claimed the final wicket to join a select group of Bangladeshi pacers to claim five wickets in BPL. 
Al-Amin Hossain, Abul Hasan and Taskin Ahmed are three other Bangladeshi pacers to achieve five-wicket in an innings in BPL history. Comilla Victorians’ Hasan Ali and Dhaka Dynamites’ Sakib al Hasan so far achieved the feat this season. 
With the win Khulna returned to the top of the table after Dhaka briefly overtook them thanks to their win over hosts Chittagong Vikings in the afternoon. Khulna have now 13 points to their collection which made their position in the play-offs all but secured

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net