Sports Reporter :
Chattogram Challengers recorded a thrilling three-run win over Minister Group Dhaka in their match of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Cricket at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Put into bat first, Chattogram piled up a fighting total of 148 for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 20 overs and then restricted Dhaka to 145 for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs.
Chattagram had a sorrow start as opener Zakir Hasan (1) was bowled out by Fazalhaq Farooqi when Chattogram’s score was just nine.
After Zakir’s removal, Will Jacks and Afif Hossain repaired the damage contributing together 40 runs for the second wicket partnership before Jacks was stumped out by wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad off Arafat Sunny when Chattogram’s total was 49 for the loss of two wickets.
Jacks scored 26 from 24 balls including three fours.
After Jacks’ departure, second-down Mehidy Hasan Miraz (2) was caught at the deep midwicket by Mohammad Naim off Mashrafe Bin Mortaza when Chattogram’s score was 56 for the loss of three wickets.
After Miraz’s dismissal, Afif Hossain was caught at the deep midwicket by Mohammad Naim off Mahmudullah Riyad when Chattogram’s total was 60 for the loss of four wickets.
Afif made 27 from 24 deliveries featuring four fours.
After Afif’s departure, Akbar Ali (9) was caught at the long-on by Shuvagata Hom off Qais Ahmed when Chattogram’s score was 84 for the loss of five wickets.
After Akbar Ali’s dismissal, Shamim Hossain and Benny Howell put on together 58 runs for the sixth wicket partnership before Shamim was caught at the deep midwicket by Mohammad Naim off Ebadot Hossain when Chattogram’s total was 142 for the loss of six wickets.
Shamim hit a splendid 52. His 37-ball innings was studded with five fours and a sixer. Shamim was adjudged the Man of the Match.
Benny Howell remained unbeaten with 24. He hit two sixes in his 19-ball knock.
Later, Minister Group Dhaka lost their early three wickets for 21 runs.
Opener Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah Riyad built a notable partnership. They scored together 71 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Riyad was caught by Howell off Miraz when Dhaka’s total was 92 for the loss of four wickets.
Tamim Iqbal remained unbeaten with 73. His 56-ball splendid innings was laced with three sixes and six fours.
Riyad scored 24 from 29 balls with one four.
After Riyad’s dismissal, Tamim and Shuvagata Hom put on together 43 runs in five-wicket stand before Shuvagata was bowled out by Shoriful Islam when Dhaka’s total was 135 for the loss of five wickets. Shvagata Hom made 22 from 11 balls featuring two fours and a sixer.
Then, the batters of Dhaka failed to give a good support to Tamim.
Mrittunjoy Chowdhury and Shoriful Islam were their team’s most successful bowlers. Mrittunjoy and Shoriful bagged two wickets each for 21 and 28 runs respectively.
