KOLKATA: There’s no stopping Sobisco Smashers Malda as they eased past Murshidabad Kings by nine wickets to record their fourth successive victory in as many matches in the Bengal Pro T20 League at the Eden Gardens here on Tuesday. With eight points from four matches, they sit pretty at the top of the points table.
The Kings suffered their first defeat of this tournament after playing three games.
Writtick Chatterjee has emerged as the most consistent batter of this T20 League as he led his side to a comfortable win in association with Ranjot Singh Khaira.
The Kings’ batters struggled to get going after being put into bat as they lost two wickets inside the first three overs. However, opener Aditya Purohit (40) and Shuvam Dey (33) steadied the ship by putting up an 82-run third-wicket stand.
Toufik used the long handle well to collect 31 runs off just 16 balls late in the innings to help the Kings put up a decent score.
Pacer Mukesh Kumar ended with three wickets, two of which came in the last over, for 34 runs.
In reply, despite losing opener Jayojit Basu (8) early, Writtick Chatterjee and Ranjot Singh Khaira settled down well to almost toy with the Tiger attack. Chatterjee became the highest run-getter of the tournament as he stayed undefeated on 78 facing just 51 deliveries. The Bengal all-rounder hit seven boundaries and five sixes in his innings.
Khaira too got his half-century to remain unbeaten on 57. He hit seven fours and one six during his 42-ball stay in the middle.
