Sports Reporter :
Chittagong Vikings made an auspicious start in the Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 Cricket defeating defending champions Comilla Victorians by 29 runs in the opening match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Sent into bat first, Chittagong Vikings piled up a healthy total of 161 for the loss of three wickets in the stipulated 20 overs and then restricted Comilla Victorians to 132 for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs.
Chittagong Vikings made a good start as Tamim Iqbal and Dwayne Smith the two opener of Chittagong added together 36 runs before Smith (9) was caught at the long-on by Mohammad Sharif off Imad Wasim.
After dismissal of Smith, Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque contributed together 44 runs for the second wicket stand before Tamim was run out by Nazmul Hossain Shanto when Chittagong’s total was 80 for the loss of two wickets.
Tamim hit a captain’s knock of 54. His 38-ball knock was studded with six fours and two sixes.
Then Anamul Haque was run out by Marlon Samuels when Chittagong’s score was 101 for the loss of three wickets.
After departure of Anamul Haque, Shoaib Malik and Jahurul Islam put on together 60 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket stand.
Shoaib Malik remained unbeaten with 42. His 38-ball innings was belted with two fours and two sixes.
Jahurul Islam remained unbeaten with 29. His 21-ball knock was laced with three fours, while Anamul Haque scored 22 from 18 balls featuring two fours.
Imad Wasim of Comilla Victorians took one wicket conceding 22 runs.
Later, Comilla Victorians could able to build only one notable partnership.
Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Al-Amin put on together 30 runs in the seventh wicket stand before Al-Amin (14) was cleanly bowled out by Mohamad Nabi when Comilla’s score was 107 for the loss of seven wickets.
Second-down Nazmul Hossain Shanto fought back against the tight and controlled bowling attack by the Chittagong bowlers. Shanto remained unbeaten with 54. His 44-ball innings was ornamented with six fours.
Comilla Victorians faced a debacle as they lost their seven wickets for 77 runs.
Opener Imrul Kayes (6) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Anamul Haque off Mohammad Nabi when Comilla’s score was nine.
One-down Marlon Samuels was caught at the mid-wicket by Taskin Ahmed off Abdur Razzak when Comilla’s total was 36 for the loss of two wickets.
Samuels scored 23 from 18 balls featuring three fours and a sixer.
After departure of Samuels, opener Liton Das (13) was caught behind by Anamul Haque off Dwayne Smith when Comilla’s score was 46 for the loss of three wickets.
Then Mohammad Nabi dismissed Ashar Zaidi (2) when Comilla’s score was 58 for the loss of four wickets.
After dismissal of Zaidi, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (1) was bowled out by Tymal Mills when Comilla’s total was 72 for the loss of five wickets.
After removal of Mortaza, Imad Wasim (4) was caught at the cover by Mohammad Nabi off Taskin Ahmed when Comila’s score was 77 for the loss of six wickets.
Seven-down Sohail Tanvir (0) was trapped leg before wicket by Mohammad Nabi when Comilla’s total was 107 for the loss of eight wickets.
Later, Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Mohammad Sharif added together 25 runs for the unbroken ninth wicket partnership before Comilla’s allotted 20 overs was finished.
Mohammad Nabi captured four wickets at the cost of 24 runs. He was adjudged the Man of the Match for his outstanding bowling performance.
Dwayne Smith, Abdur Razzak, Tymal Mills, Taskin Ahmed took one wicket each for 21, 23, 28 and 31 runs respectively.
