Rajshahi chase big total to beat Barisal

Chittagong: Barisal Burners put up a massive total on board, but Duronto Rajshahi chased down the 193-run target for the loss of just one wicket and with 17 balls to spare, to achieve their fifth victory of the Bangladesh Premier League on Monday.

Barisal would have fancied their chances after setting their opponents such a daunting target, but Rajshahi made light of the chase from the beginning at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. Openers Shahzaib Hasan and Junaid Siddique got their team off to a blazing start, with Hasan's 22-ball 46 taking Duronto to 93 in just the seventh over. Even after Hasan's dismissal, Siddique (89 not out) and Marlon Samuels (54 not out) found the boundary almost at will to take their team home with 2.5 overs to spare.

Earlier, despite the loss of Brad Hodge in the first over itself, Phil Mustard (88 not out) and Ahmed Shehzad (44) took Barisal to 98 in the 12th over, when Shehzad fell to the legspin of Sabbir Rahman. However, Mithun Ali (21) and Rameez Raja (26 not out) chipped in with useful cameos to support Mustard and take Barisal to an imposing 192-3. Every Rajshahi bowler conceded more than eight runs an over, except for the impressive Monir Hossain, who finished with figures of 1 for 19 from his four overs.

Duronto Rajshahi chased down the 193-run target for the loss of just one wicket and with 17 balls to spare.

Both teams have now played seven games each, with Rajshahi on 10 points while Barisal have six, with three wins and four losses.

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