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Duronto Rajshahi completed the highest successful run-chase of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) so far, knocking off the 193 required to beat Barisal 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 well supported 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.

Following the match, Rajshahi's coach, Khaled Mashud was penalised by match referee Mike Procter for entering the field of play during the strategic timeout.

Mashud was fined 15,000 Taka since, as per the law, no officials are allowed onto the field during the course of play.

In the other BPL game, yesterday, Khulna Royal Bengals' spinners set up an unlikely win for their side, bowling out hosts Chittagong Kings for 93 while defending 137. The win puts Khulna at the top of the points table after seven matches.

Chittagong chose to bowl, and the decision seemed to pay off as they struck at regular intervals.

None of Khulna's top five could go past 20, and it was chiefly due to a 38-ball 42 from Man of the Match Nasir Hossain down the order that they were able to push on past 100. Enamul Haque jnr produced the best figures for Chittagong, claiming three middle-order wickets while conceding just 5.50 runs per over.

Khulna's ploy of predominantly bowling spinners in the chase worked: they bowled 16 of the 18.1 overs it took to bowl out Chittagong.

Legspinner Marshall Ayub was the most effective, taking four wickets for 20 in his four overs. The other wickets were shared among Abdur Razzak, Shakib Al Hasan and Barbadian medium-pacer Dwayne Smith.

The only batsman who could get past 12 in the chase was No. 3 Jason Roy, who picked up a couple of fours and sixes before being run out for 30.

Summarised scores

BARISAL BURNERS 192 for three off 20 overs (Phil Mustard 88 not out, Ahmed Shehzad 44, Rameez Raja 26 not out, Mithun Ali 21) vs DURONTO RAJSHAHI 193 for one off 17.1 overs (Junaid Siddique 89 not out, Marlon Samuels 54 not out, Shahzaib Hasan 46)

- Duronto Rajshahi won by nine wickets

KHULNA ROYAL BENGALS 137 for six off 20 overs (Nasir Hossain 42, Herschelle Gibbs 20; Enamul Haque Jr 3-22, Kevon Cooper 2-24) vs CHITTAGONG KINGS 93 all out off 18.1 overs (Jason Roy 30; Marshall Ayub 4-20)

- Khulna Royal Bengals won by 44 runs