Taskin seals it for Kings

Duronto Rajshahi opener Charles Coventry loses his timbers to a vicious inswinger from Chittagong Kings paceman Taskin Ahmed in their BPL T20 First Semifinal yesterday. Coventry was the first of four wickets for young Taskin who restricted Rajshahi to a paltry 107, which Chittagong overtook with four wickets and 16 balls to spare. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

After a highly entertaining match on the previous day, the first semifinal saw a one-sided affair as young paceman Taskin Ahmed tormented Duronto Rajshahi to script a comfortable four-wicket victory for Chittagong Kings at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur last night. The semifinal victory however didn't confirm Kings' place in the February 19 final against Dhaka Gladiators, as according to the new format they will now vie for the final when they meet the formidable Sylhet Royals, the losing team of the 'Race to Final', today in the second semifinal at the same venue at 6pm.
A four-wicket haul by Taskin set an easy target for his side after Rajshahi could manage only 107 runs for seven wickets. But Chittagong got a jolt in the middle of their chase after a 43-run opening stand between Jason Roy (30) and Nurul Hasan (14) but Ravi Bopara (34 not out) held his nerve as Chittagong reached the target with 2.4 overs to spare.
The young prospect Taskin, who already drew enough attention to get a place in the previous national camp, hogged all the spotlight in the match with a fiery opening spell that virtually sealed the fate of the match. The 17-year old Taskin finished with figures of four for 31, which earned him the man-of-the-match award.
The right-arm pacer removed Zimbabwean Charles Coventry and Australian Simon Katich in his very first over, the second over of the innings, and then took the wicket of Jahurul Islam as Rajshahi were reduced to 23 for three. Rajshahi, who made it to the last four by virtue of a better head-to-head record against Rangpur Riders and Barisal Burners, failed to bounce back from this early hiccup and ultimately finished their quota with 107 for seven.
Sean Ervine played an unbeaten knock of 47 that came from 48 deliveries. The Zimbabwean's innings might have helped his side to cross the 100-run mark but it was in no way an adequate total to defend.
After Taskin, spinner Mahmudullah Riyad also played his part to harm Rajshahi's chance of posting a challenging total.
Riyad sent back Farhad Hosain and the dashing Ziaur Rahman in the 12th over to kill Rajshahi's last hope.
SCORES IN BRIEF
DURONTO RAJSHAHI: 107-7 in 20 overs (Coventry 15, Munaweera 12, Ervine 47 not out, Mukhter 18, extras 7; Taskin 4-31, Oram 1-18, Riyad 2-6).
CHITTAGONG KINGS: 108-6 in 17.2 overs (Roy 30, Nurul 14, Bopara 34 not out, Oram 10 not out, extras 5; Udana 1-23, Monir 1-21, Nayeem 2-24, Mukhter 1-20).
Result: Chittagong Kings won by four wickets.
Player-of-the-match: Taskin Ahmed.