Samuels pilots BPL side to impressive win

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh (CMC) — West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels stroked a excellent unbeaten half-century to help Duronto Rajshahi undertake a superb run chase, and whip Barisal Burners by nine wickets in the Bangladesh Premier League here Monday.

The right-handed Samuels, continuing to enjoy a new lease on life following his return to international cricket last year from a two-year ban, stroked 54 from 30 balls as Rajshahi overhauled the Burners' 192 for three with 17 balls to spare.

Opener Junaid Siddique led the way with a superb unbeaten 89, posting 100 runs for the second wicket with Samuels.

Siddique slammed seven fours and five off just 51 balls while Samuels counted four fours and three sixes.

The left-handed Siddique had also put on a fluent 93 off 40 balls for the first wicket with Shahzaib Hasan who stroked 46 from 22 balls.

Earlier, Samuels sent down three overs for just 24 runs as the Burners, without injured West Indies star Chris Gayle, raced to their eventual total.

England's Phil Mustard rattled off an unbeaten 88 off 58 balls with 10 fours and three sixes.

In the feature game of the doubleheader at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadiumm, Dwayne Smith played a small role in helping to guide Khulna Royal Bengals to a 44-run win over Chittagong Kings.

Smith got 17 from 18 balls as the Bengals raised 137 for six off their 20 overs, with Nasir Hossain top scoring with 42.

Veteran West Indies left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul failed with nine while exciting all-rounder Andre Russell smashed two fours in an unbeaten six-ball 17 at the end of the innings.

Smith, who shared the new ball, then snatched two for 14 from 2.1 overs to help restrict the Kings to 93 all out off 18.1 overs.

All-rounder Dwayne Bravo also failed with the bat, scoring just one.