Veteran Naeem Islam鈥檚 all-round brilliance led Chittagong Kings to a massive 111-run win over Durbar Rajshahi in the Bangladesh Premier League at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Sunday.
Chasing a daunting 192 runs, Rajshahi batters crumbled to just 80 runs in 14.2 overs as Taskin Ahmed tasted his first defeat after taking up the captaincy in the middle of the tournament.
With this victory, Chittagong cemented their play-off berth, moving to second spot in the points table, accumulating 10 points from eight matches, just behind Rangpur.
Despite losing Usman Khan鈥檚 wicket in the first over, Naeem and Graham Clark made a blistering start for Chittagong after being sent to bat first.
Naeem, who was shifted to open the innings, struck a fifty, smashing 56 off 41 with five fours and three sixes and Clark smashed a quickfire 28-ball 45, featuring two boundaries and three sixes.
Mid-way through, Mohammad Mithun鈥檚 cameo of 32 runs and a late flurry from Haydar Ali (25) saw Chittagong reach 191-8 wickets in 20 overs.
In reply, Rajshahi batters failed to find their feet against Chittagong bowlers and slumped to 20-3, followed that, they continued to take wickets in a regular pattern.聽
Rajshahi had to play without their key batter Ryan Burl due to an injury, and only Anamul Haque and Akbar Ali managed to reach double figures, scoring 21 and 10 runs respectively.聽
Naeem and Shoriful Islam scalped two apiece and others took one for the port city outfit.