ESPNcricinfo staff
February 20, 2012
Duronto Rajshahi 193 for 1 (Siddique 89*, Samuels 54*) beat Barisal Burners 192 for 3 (Mustard 88*)
Duronto Rajshahi completed the highest successful run-chase of the Bangladesh Premier League so far, knocking off the 193 required to beat Bairsal Burners in 17.1 overs for the loss of just one wicket. Barisal had set Rajshahi a daunting total, but Shahzaib Hasan and Junaid Siddique got the chase off to a blazing start with a partnership of 93 from just 6.4 overs.
Shahzaib fell for 46 off 22 balls, but Siddique continued to score quickly, and was given company by Marlon Samuels. Siddique hit five sixes and seven fours in his 89 off 51 balls, and Samuels struck three sixes in his 54 off 30 balls. The pair added 100 runs in 10.3 overs, and got Rajshahi home with 17 balls to spare.
Everything had seemed to be on track for Barisal when they chose to bat and got off to a quick start despite being without the injured Chris Gayle, who has flown to Durban ahead of the MiWAY T20 Challenge in South Africa. Ahmed Shehzad and Phil Mustard got them to 98 for 1 in the 12th over. Shehzad was dismissed for 44, but Mustard did not slow down, and was given support by Mithun Ali and then Rameez Raja. Mustard finished unbeaten on 88 off 58 balls, but Barisal's 192 was not enough to beat Rajshahi.
In the high-scoring game, Rajshahi legspinner Monir Hossain's figures of 4-0-19-1 were outstanding.
