Sabbir Hossain :
Comilla Victorians stormed into the final of the UCB 6th Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 cricket after defeating Rangpur Riders by eight wickets in their qualifiers match at the flood-lit Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Monday.
Electing to bat first, Rangpur Riders piled up 165 runs for the loss of five wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.
In reply, Comilla Victorians coasted home making 166 for the loss of two wickets when they had seven balls to spare.
Comilla Victorians had a fine start as openers Tamim Iqbal and Evin Lewis added together 35 runs before Tamim (17) was caught at the mid-on by BAC Howell off Mashrafe Bin Mortaza. After Tamim’s dismissal, Evin Lewis and Anamul Haque contributed together 90 runs for the second wicket partnership before Anamul was cleanly bowled out by pacer Shafiul Islam when Comilla’s score was 125 for the loss of two wickets.
Then Lewis and Shamsur Rahman added together 41 runs for the unbroken third wicket partnership and powered their team to reach the winning target.
Lewis remained unbeaten with 71. His 53-ball superb innings was studded with three sixes and five fours. Lewis was adjudged Man of the Match for his match-winning innings.
Anamul Haque hit an impressive 39. His 32-ball innings was ornamented with two sixes and two fours.
Shamsur Rahman remained unbeaten with 34. His 15-ball quick-fire innings was decorated with four fours and two sixes.
Shafiul Islam and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza of Rangpur Riders took one wicket apiece. Earlier, Rangpur Riders lost their early two wickets for 34 runs.
Then opener Chris Gayle and RR Rossouw put on together 33 runs in the third wicket stand before Gayle was caught at the long-off by Thisara Perera off Mahedi Hasan when Rangpur’s score was 67 for the loss of three wickets.
Later, Rossouw and BAC Howell contributed together 70 runs for the fifth wicket partnership before Rossouw was caught by wicketkeeper Anamul Haque off Mohammad Saifuddin when Rangpur’s total was 146 for the loss of five wickets.
Howell remained unbeaten with 53. His 28-ball stormy innings was studded with five sixes and three fours. Gayle hit a sparkle 46. His 44-ball knock saw six fours and a sixer.
Rossouw notched up a fine 44. His 31-ball innings had four fours and two sixes.
Sanjit Saha, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin and Wahab Riaz of Comilla Victorians got one wicket each conceding 14, 28, 42 and 49 runs respectively.
