BPL 2019-20 Final: Rajshahi Royals win maiden BPL title.
BPL 2019-20 Final Live Cricket Score, Khulna Tigers vs Rajshahi Royals: Rajashahi Royals lifted their first-ever Bangladesh Premier League title after defeating rival Khulna Tigers by 21 runs in the summit match at Dhaka on Friday. Irfan Sukkur top-scored for Royals, scoring a blistering 52-run knock off 35 balls. Andre Russell and Mohammad Nawaz scored 27 and 41 runs, respectively as Royals set a 171-run target for Tigers.
Chasing the total, Tigers failed to get off to a good start as it lost both openers in quick succession. Shamsur Rahman and Rilee Rossouw steadied the innings through a 74-run partnership. However, following the dismissal of both batsmen, Tigers struggled to keep up the asking rate. Tigers could only score 149 with the loss of eight wickets. For Royals, Mohammad Irfan, Russell, and Kamrul Islam Rabbi claimed two wickets each.
A boundary off the final delivery but Rajashahi Royals won't mind it as they have just won their maiden BPL title. What a fightback by the Royals, both with the bat and the ball as they win the contest by 21 runs. KT: 149/8 (20 overs)
A fuller length delivery by Andre Russell and it takes the inside edge of the bat, hits the pads and then knocks the stumps. Shahidul Islam departs on a duck. KT: 142/8 (19.2 overs)
Another one bites the dust as Mohammad Irfan is proving to be the best bowler from the Royals camp. A back of a length delivery pitched outside off and Robbie Frylinck tries to pull it on the on-side. However, the height works in the bowler's favour as the ball goes to the fielder at deep midwicket, who makes no mistake at the end. KT: 140/6 (18.4 overs)
Andre Russell cleans up Mushfiqur Rahim's stumps with a perfect yorker as Tigers lose their plot despite being in a solid position. It seems like Mushfiqur was trying to manufacture a shot here but ends up throwing his wicket. He departs after scoring 21 from 15 balls. KT: 134/6(17.5 overs) | need 37 runs in 13 balls
Top edge and a boundary and then a misfield at the third-man, which produces the same outcome definitely adds some respite in the Tigers camp. A good over by Pakistani tall pacer Mohammad Irfan ends up fetching eleven at the end. Meanwhile, Tigers have 131/5 at the end of 17 overs. They now need another 40 runs in the final three overs.
Najibullah Zadran survives after a successful DRS call but ends up throwing his wicket in the very next ball. A simple catch for Mohammad Nawaz off his own bowling as Zadran walks back after contributing just 4 runs in the Tigers total. Royals are getting back in the contest as Tigers lose their 5th man in quick succession. KT: 105/5(13.5 overs) | need 66 runs required from 35 balls
The contest is not over yet as Kamrul Islam sends the dangerous Shamsur Rahman back to the pavilion on 52. The batsman made some room for himself and connects it straight to Afif Hossain at deep. KT: 101/4(11.1 overs) | need 70 runs in 41 balls
Shamsur Rahman brings up his fifty in style as he slashes a wide delivery pitches outside off for a boundary towards the deep extra cover region.. What a knock this has been, Shamsur came out in the middle when the team was struggling, but his performance has definitely taken the pressure off. Meanwhile, the Tigers also edge past the 100-run mark after 13 overs.
First with the bat and now with the ball as Mohammad Nawaz finally breaks the partnership that was haunting Rajshahi Royals. Rilee Rossouw the danger man departs after scoring 37 from 26 balls. It was an uppish delivery and the batsman played a flighted shot, would have cleared the ropes had skipper Andre Russell not been there standing at long-on. KT: 85/3(10.5 overs) | need 85 runs in 55 balls
We are midway in the chase as some sensible cricket by Shamsur Rahman and Rilee Rossouw help Khulna Tigers reach 80/2 at the end of 10 overs. Shamsur Rahman is playing on 39 off 32 balls, while his partner Rilee Rossouw is batting at a strike rate of exact 150. He is batting on 33 from 22 balls.
Chance of a run-out here but Mohammad Nawaz the bowler misses the stumps at the non-striker's end by a whisker. Had he knocked the stumps, Shamsur Rahman had been on his way back to the pavilion. Anyways good news for the Tigers camp as both the set batsman are still present at the crease. KT: 73/2 (9.0) | need 98 runs in 66 balls
After losing the openers early, Shamsur Rahman and Rilee Rossouw add 43 runs in 31 deliveries for the second totals as Tigers cross the 50-run mark. Can the duo dig deep and set the platform for the rest of the batsmen to follow? KT: 54-2 (7 overs)
After losing both the openers Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan inside the first two overs, Shamsur Rahman and Rilee Rossouw are trying to bring the chase back on track. Shamsur is playing on 12 from the same number of deliveries, while his partner Rossouw is batting on 11 from 6 balls. KT: 31/2 (4 overs)
15 runs come off Shafiul Islam's final over as some late hitting by Andre Russell and Mohammad Nawaz help Rajshahi Royals post 170/4. A total of 54 runs came in the final three overs with Nawaz scoring an unbeaten 40 off just 21 balls and his partner Russell fetches 27 in 16 deliveries.
39 runs come off the last two overs as Royals edge past the 150-run mark. While everyone expected Andre Russell to do the maximum damage, it is Mohammad Nawaz, who's taking the charge. He's batting on 32 off just 17 balls. RR: 155/4 (19 overs)
A well-played innings by Irfan Sukkur comes to an end as Mohammad Amir provides Tigers with the breakthrough they were looking for. He departs on 52(35). Amir knows the importance of this breakthrough as he puts his finger on his lips, probably indicating Sukkur to remain silent. It was a fullish delivery pitched outside off and Sukkur scooped it down the fine leg region, but bad luck for the young lad that it flew straight into the hands of Shafiul Islam. RR: 99/4 (14.2 overs)
Irfan Sukkur leads the Royals recovery as he brings up his half-century in just 30 deliveries. He is doing his part and the skipper Andre Russell knows it. The skipper reaches out to the youngster from the other end and pats his back. However, Sukkur needs to continue this momentum in order to help his side set a challenging target. RR: 95/3 (13.1 overs)
Another one bites the dust as Shoaib Malik smashes the ball straight to the Najmul Hossain Shanto at covers. He departs on 9. It was an uppish delivery and Malik smashed it hard but unfortunate for him as it travels straight to the fielder, who completes a good low catch. Andre Russell walks out in the middle. RR: 63/2 (9.1 overs)
The short delivery does the trick once again and this time it's Liton Das who has to take the long walk back to the pavilion. He was struggling to middle the ball and just when he does it, the ball goes straight to the fielder. Shahidul Islam picks his first wicket as the well-timed by Liton flies straight to Najmul Hossain Shanto in the deep, who makes no mistake. He departs on 25 from 28 deliveries and former Pakistani skipper Shoaib Malik walks out in the middle. RR: 63/2 (9.1 overs)
Liton Das, who was unable to find the boundaries, decides to go big and gets a six off the final delivery of the sixth over. Initially, everyone thought that the fielder at deep square leg has potentially saved a potential four runs for his side. However, TV replay confirms that his foot was on the boundary rope as he tried to keep the ball inside the playing area. Anyways, Tigers would be happy with their bowlers for executing a tidy show at this surface. RR: 43/1 (6 overs)
First bowling change by Mushfiqur as he introduces spin inside the powerplay overs. Tanvir Islam starts off decent but goes on to concede a boundary in the third and last delivery of his first over. Eleven runs come off it as Royals reach 33/1 at the end 5 overs.
A short delivery by Mohammad Amir just wide of the off stump and Afif Hossain tries to pull it down on the on-side. However, he fails to middle it as the ball skies up in the air and Mehidy Hasan grabs a stunning catch to send the batsman packing on 10. Just the start Royals wanted as wicketkeeper-batsman Irfan Sukkur comes out in the middle. RR: 14/1 (2.3 overs)
The pitch seems like a batting paradise and so far both Mohammad Amir and Robbie Frylinck haven't got any help from the surface. Meanwhile, the opening pair of Liton Das and Afif Hossain are not taking any chance as they have opted for a cautious approach in the initial phase of the contest. So far just one boundary by Afif as Royals reach 10/0 after 2 overs.
The Sher-e-Bangla Stadium is jam-packed as Royals openers Liton Das and Afif Hossain arrive in the middle to kick-off the proceedings. Pakistani pacer Mohammad Amir will lead the attack for Tigers.
Royals: Liton Das, Afif Hossain, Irfan Sukkur(wk), Alok Kapali, Shoaib Malik, Andre Russell(c), Mohammad Nawaz, Farhad Reza, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Abu Jayed, Mohammad Irfan
Tigers: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rilee Rossouw, Shamsur Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim(c/wk), Najibullah Zadran, Robbie Frylinck, Mohammad Amir, Shafiul Islam, Shahidul Islam, Tanvir Islam
Khulna Tigers wins toss, elects to field first.
So far in this edition both the teams secured eight wins in twelve matches. However, Tigers have already defeated the Royals twice in this tournament and will enter the contest high on confidence. In Qualifier 1 between Tigers and Royals, Mohammad Amir emerged as the standout performer as he picked six wickets to guide his side into the finals. Meanwhile, Russell played a brilliant knock of 52 off just 22 deliveries to help Royals secure a two-wicket victory, despite displaying a scrappy show. What will happen today?
Hello and welcome to the LIVE COVERAGE of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2019-20 final match between Khulna Tigers vs Rajshahi Royals. Both the teams are fighting for their maiden BPL title with local lad Mushfiqur Rahim leading the Tigers and Andre Russell taking charge of the Royals camp. Stay tuned for LIVE UPDATES!