UNB, Dhaka :
It was a do-or-die match for Chattogram Challengers in the ongoing Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), and they passed with a four-wicket win over Sylhet Sunrisers riding on a 57-ball 92 by Will Jack on Saturday.
After Fortune Barishal and Comilla Victorians, Chattogram are the third team to confirm a place in the play-off.
In a bid to exit the tournament with a winning note, Sylhet compiled a hefty 185-6 but their hopes were shattered by a marauding Jacks who led the charge to help Chattogram race to the victory (188-6) with five balls to spare. After this defeat Sylhet ended at the bottom table with just 3 points from 10 matches. They have won only one game and drawn one, courtesy of rain.
Sylhet batted first in this match and posted a challenging 185 for six in 20 overs. Colin Ingram and Anamul Haque posted 41 in the opening stand which was a good foundation for them to put up a tough target for the Challengers.
No batter could hit a fifty in Sylhet’s mammoth total. The highest came from the willow of captain Ravi Bopara who made 44 off 21 with two fours and four sixes. Lendl Simmons hit 42 off 27, striking five fours and two sixes.
For Chattogram, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury bagged three wickets.
In reply, Will Jacks hit an unbeaten 92 and guided Chattogram to the play-off from a cliff edge. Chadwick Walton also did well scoring 35 off 23 balls with three fours and two sixes.
When Chattogram was about to fall, Shamim Hossain posted 21 off seven balls with three fours and one six. Off the first ball of the last ball, Will Jack hit a six and sealed the match for Chattogram.
It was the highest by Jacks in his T20 career.
The win means Chattogram had 10 points from 10 matches and would play the Eliminator on Monday. Their opponents would either be Minister Group Dhaka or Khulna Tigers. If Khulna who have 8 points from 9 matches, win their next game later this day against Comilla Victorians, they will be through. But if they lose, Dhaka who have now 9 points from 10 matches, will play against Chattogram.
