Chittagong Vikings have beaten Rangpur Riders, the defending champions, in the opening match of the sixth edition of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) at Mirpur’s Shere Bangla National Stadium.

Riders led by ODI team skipper and newly elected MP Mashrafe Mortaza were all out for 98 in the first innings after they were sent to bat by Vikings’ captain

For Vikings, South African all-rounder Robbie Frylinck drove Shafiul Islam for a boundary through the cover in the first ball of the last over to score match-winner 101 for 7 in 19.1 overs.

Frylinck, who earlier grabbed four wickets for 14 runs, was adjudged man of the match.

Vikings skipper Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and sent Riders to bat. The defending champions were all out for 98 runs in 20 overs.

Afghan opener Mohammad Shehzad and Cameron Delport added 15 runs for Vikings in opening stand. Riders captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza scalped Delport to make a breakthrough for his team.

Their effort to defend a low total of 98 continued when Shafiul took the wicket of Mohammad Ashraful, news agecy UNB reports.

Former Bangladesh captain Ashraful failed to impress in his first T20 appearance after six years after adding only 3 runs off 5 balls. The right-handed batsman skid a low-ball of Shafiul and Alex Hales took an easy catch.

Mushfiqur (25 off 31 balls) and Shehzad added 30 runs in the third wicket stand. Shehzad fell for 27 off 23 balls on a delivery by Benny Howell. Vikings lower order Nayeem Hasan made run a ball 10 with a boundary.

Mashrafe took two wickets for 24 runs.

Earlier, Ravi Bopara was the only batsman to offer some resistance for Riders scoring 41 runs off 47 deliveries including three fours and two sixes – the best score by a Riders batsman. Shohag Gazi made 21 off 17 balls.

Along with Frylinck, Nayeem Hasan and Abu Jayed did well with the ball. Nayeem took two for 10 and Jayed grabbed two for 30.

Chittagong will play their next match against Sylhet Sixers on Jan 9 while Riders will face Khulna Titans in their next match on Jan 6.