Chittagong: A captaincy knock by Mahmudullah helped Khulna Titans to move top of the points table in the 25th match of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 when they beat star-studded Rangpur Riders by nine runs held on Friday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong.

Chasing Khulna's 159-run target, Rangpur stumbled early as they lost their three top order batsmen-- opener Chris Gayle (16), Brendon McCullum (2) and Mohammad Mithun (3)-- early and finally they were restricted at 149 for 6 in 20 overs.

New Zealand batsman MacCullum fell to Afif Hossain and big hitting West Indies batsman Gayle perished to Abu Jayed while Mithun fell victim of run out, leaving Rangpur in deep trouble.

Cameo Nahidul Islam then pairing with English batsman Ravi Bopara came to repair the early team's damage contributing 100-run fifth wicket.

The all-rounder Nahidul played a classy knock 43-ball off 58-run that studded with seven boundaries before he fell victim of run out in the crucial moment while Bopara was remained unbeaten with his 59 but could not take Rangpur at home due to tight bowling display in the final moments of the match.

Bopara hit four boundaries and one over boundary during his 44-ball stay on the crease.

Afif Hossain of Khulna finished with an impressive figure of 2 for 4 in two overs.

Mahmudullah of Khulna was named the player of the match for his impressive batting performance.

Earlier, despite brilliant bowling spells by Rubel Hossain and Lasith Malinga, Khulna Titans riding on Mahmudullah Riyad's blazing 36-ball 59 run steered it to post a competitive total of 158 for 8 from their allotted 20 overs against Rangpur Riders. 

Khulna Titans suffered early batting jolt as they slipped 3 for 49 runs in the scoreboard after they were forced to bat first by Riders at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong.

Skipper Mahmudullah stepped up to play a true captain's knock as he played a responsible 59 runs off 36 balls, in innings that studded with six boundaries and two over boundaries. 

Opener Nazmul Hossain Shanto (20), Nicolas Pooran (16) Ariful Haque (16) started well but could not convert those into big knocks in the face of some tight bowling display by the Rangpur Riders bowlers.

However, Khulna looked like heading for a much bigger score but thanks to pacer Rubel Hossain with 3 for 35 and Lasith Malinga with 2 for 27 kept their rivals running away with total.

With the day's win, Khulna Titans moved top of the table with 11 points from eight matches while Rangpur Riders stood at fifth place with their previous credit of six from seven outings.