Sylhet: Rangpur Riders made an appropriate start in the 5th edition of the seven-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 as they cruise past Rajshahi Kings by six-wickets in the opening day's 2nd match at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza-led Rangpur Riders chased down a target of 155 for 4 in 18.5 overs where Mohammad Mithun and Shahriar Nafees shared a pivotal partnership innings of 75 off 9.2 overs in the 3rtd wicket stand, starting after their side's early sufferings of 15 for 2 in 3.2 overs.

Mithun hit 46 off 33 balls, including one boundary and three sixes before being caught by Luke Wright off Kesrick Williams to depart from the 3rd pair.

James Franklin bowled out Shahriar Nafees (35 off 34b; 3x4; 1x6) on 113/4 in 15.2 overs.

After the departure of Shahriar Nafees, Ravi Bopara and Thisara Perera played an unbeaten partnership innings of 44* off 3.3 overs in the 5th wicket stand to shored their vessel on the bank of win.

Man of the match Ravi Bopara hit 23-balls 39* with three boundaries and two sixes, while Thisara Perera added 20* off 12 balls, including two boundaries.

James Franklin, Kesrick Williams, Farhad Reza and Mehedi Hasan Miraz took one wicket each for 26, 30, 30 and 31 runs respectively.

Sent in to bat first, defending runners-up Rajshahi Kings scored 154 for 8 in 20 overs with Rony Talukdar top-scoring 47 off 38 balls, including three boundaries and two sixes.

Besides his individual score, Rony shared a partnership innings of 49 off 7.3 overs in the 2nd wicket stand with Luke Wright.

Starting after the departure of Mominul Haque on 12/1 in 1.4 overs, the 2nd pair carried the team collection to 61/2 in 8.1 overs before opener Luke Wright was caught by Thisara Perera off Nazmul Islam.

Rony got short companions of 12 balls with experienced Mushfiqur Rahim and an 8-ball with Samit Patel in the 3rd and 4th wickets respectively, before he was bowled out by Mashrafe on 90/5 in 13 overs.

Lasith Malinga got skipper Darren Sammy, who hit 18-balls 29, including one boundary and two sixes, was caught by Adam Lyth on 135/6 in 18.2 overs.

Number 6 batsman James Franklin stayed till the end for 26* off 22 balls with one four and one six.

Mehedi Hasan Miraz quick-fired 15 off 5 balls with three boundaries, while Mushfiqur Rahim and Luke Wright added 11 runs each for the side.

Nazmul Islam and Malinga delivered four overs each to bag two wickets apiece conceding 20 and 34 runs respectively. Sohag Gazi and Mashrafe took one wicket each for 5 and 18 runs delivering one and four overs.