Dhaka: Rangpur Riders secured a 29-runs victory against Barisal Bulls to stay alive in the race for four-team Play-off stage in the 4th Bangladesh Premier League T20 at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday.

With the 6th win in their 11th games, Rangpur moved into 3rd slot pushing down Khulna Titans in the 4th place.

Rangpur will play against Comilla Victorians in a must win games to stay in the race while Khulna to face topper Dhaka Dynamites in another must win match at the same venue on Sunday. 

Barisal eliminated from the race of the seven-team franchised tournament as the bottom-placed side, collected eight points playing out 12 league matches, having four wins eight loses. 

In the day’s match, chasing a moderate target of 155, Barisal were worn out in 18.2 overs collecting 125 for all with Dawid Malan top-scoring 30 off 23 balls, including six boundaries. 

Thisara Perera (24 off 17b; 2x4, 1x6), Fazle Mahmud (21 off 20b; 2x4, 1x6), Shahriar Nafees (14 off 24b) and Jeevan Mendis (12 off 6b; 2x6) were the other double figure scorers for the side. 

Liam Dawson, Sohag Gazi, Rubel Hossain and Shahid Afridi bagged two wickets each for 11, 12, 21 and 24 runs. Naeem Islam and Anwar Ali took one wicket each for 14 and 25 runs.

Batting first after winning the toss, Rangpur collected 154 for five-wicket in 20 overs, riding on the 2nd pair stand of 76 in 10.3 overs between opener Mohammad Shahzad and Mohammad Mithun.

Starting from 29/1 in 3.5 overs the 2nd pair finished at 105/2 in 14.2 overs as Shahzad was trapped lbw by Rayad Emrit.

Man of the match ‘Shahzad’ scored 48 off 40 balls, including four boundaries and one six, while Mithun added 38 off 41balls that witnessed one boundary and one over boundary. Mithun was caught by Taijul Islam off Thisara Perera's bowling leaving team total at 118/4 in 16.2 overs.

Number-5 batsman Ziaur Rahman stayed for unbeaten 23 off 17 balls, including two boundaries and one six, while Soumya Sarkar added 17 runs to be another double figure scorer. 

Thisara Perera and Kamrul Islam Rabbi took two wickets each for 26 and 39 runs. Rayad Emrit took one wicket for 32 runs. All bowled four overs each.