Rangpur Riders’ opener Chris Gayle blasted a match-winning century as Mashrafe Mortaza’s men ensured their second qualifiers spot with an eight-wicket victory over Khulna Titans in the Eliminator of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL)T20 on Friday at Mirepur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Rangpur Riders will play second qualifier against Comilla Victorians or Dhaka Dynamites on Sunday (December 10) at the same venue.
The left-handed smashed an unbeaten 51-ball off 126-run as Rangpur easily chase down the target making 171 in 15.2 overs with eight wickets inhand.
It was the first century in this season's BPL so far and the fourth century by the explosive opener Gayle in the BPL tournament.
Gayle who took only 45-ball to complete the century, smashed 14 sixes and six fours.
Mithun was the other notable scorers for Rangpur with a 36-ball 30 runs laced with three boundaries to confirm Rangpur's victory to remain unbeaten till the end of the innings, after Rangpur made a shaky start losing their two top batsmen early.
Jofra Chioke Archer bagged two Rangpur's wickets for 30 runs, reports BSS.
Earlier, a late surge by Carlos Brathwaite saw Khulna Titans scored competitive total of 167 for 6 from their allotted 20 overs, after being sent in to bat.
Carlos smashed an unbeaten 25 runs off 9 balls with three boundaries and a six while and Nicholas Pooran played handy 22-ball 28-run before he was trapped leg before wicket by Lasith Malinga's delivery, after Khulna Titans slipped to 4 for 84 runs in 11.4 overs.
Opener Nazmul Hossain Shanto (15) gave a return catch to Sohag Gazi while Micheal Klinger (21) fell to Ravi Bopara.
Ariful Haque top scored of Khulna's innings as the middle order batsman contributed an useful knock of 29-run off 30-ball hitting three boundaries before he perished to Rubel Hossain while skipper Mahmudullah blasted 6-ball off 20-run, an innings that studded with two boundaries and two towering sixes before he fell to Nazmul Hossain.
Pacer Lasith Malinga was the most successful bowler as he claimed two Khulna's wickets conceding 49 runs.