Bangladesh Premier League: Mahmudullah repeats last-over heroics

All-rounder defends six runs in final over to fire Titans to thrilling win

KARACHI: Captain Mahmudullah bowled a magical last over reminiscent of his similar heroics against the Rajshahi Kings last week as Khulna Titans defeated Chittagong Vikings by four runs in their Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) encounter at Mirpur yesterday.

When Vikings needed six runs in the final over of the match, Mahmudullah — who had defended seven runs off the last over against the Kings last week too — bowled another miserly over that nipped out three batsmen and kept the in-form Mohammad Nabi at bay.

Mahmudullah’s heroics earned him the man-of-the-match award as his team earned two vital points — their second in three games of the on-going season.



Nabi had earlier brought the Vikings back in contention with a blazing knock of 39 off only 23 balls; the Afghan all-rounder struck two fours and two sixes to bring his team within a whisker of the 128-run target before Mahmudullah spun the game on its head.

Batting first, the Titans had stuttered to a below-par score of 127 for seven. Nicholas Pooran top-scored with 29 while opener Riki Wessels scored a quick-fire 28 off 17 balls before perishing in an attempt to accelerate the scoring.

Alok Kapali (23) and Ariful Haque (25) upped the tempo of the innings towards the end to ensure that the Titans get past the 120-run mark.



Vikings were in disarray during their chase — 78 for six — before Nabi brought them back in contention with some big blows.

Seamer Shafiul Islam had demolished the Vikings middle-order with figures of four for 28, with West Indian recruit Kevon Cooper claiming two scalps of his own.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2016.

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