Mustafizur, Kayes lead Comilla to top of BPL

 DHAKA - A tremendous batting effort saw Comilla

Victorians clinch a nine-wicket victory of Chattogram Challengers
through D/L method, despite a fifer of Mustafizur Rahman in the
Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) today at Sher-e-Bangla National
Cricket Stadium.

  The victory, Comilla's fourth in five games, propelled them to top
of BPL again while Chattogram languished at fifth amongst the six
teams.

  In a rain curtailed game, that was reduced to 18-over affair,
Chattogram were restricted to 138-8 but as per revised target Comilla
were set 144 to win the game. They however made the chase a cake-walk,
racing to the victory with 148-1 in just 16.3 overs.

  Mustafizur Rahman with 5-27 from four overs helped the side restrict
Chattogram to moderate total when the opponent appeared to have headed
towards a big total.

  Captain Imrul Kayes then led the charge from the front with a
terrific 81 not out off 62 that was studded with six fours and five
towering sixes. Fittingly he signed off the game with a six off
Mrittujony Chowdhury that sailed over the point region.

  Earlier in that over, Mrittujony claimed the wicket of Liton Das to
deny Comilla a 10-wicket victory. Liton hammered four fours and three
sixes for his 53 off 37.

  He and Kayes combined for a 138 runs for the opening stand, much to
the delight of the Comilla fans.

  Kayes appeared to have played on a different wicket after coming to
bat on his favourite opening position, instead of inform Faf Du
Plessis. Hitting the Chattogram bowlers all corner of the park, he
ensured his team won't face any hiccup at any point of the game.

  Alongside him, Liton Das also played with unwavering resolve and
denied Chattogram bowlers hurling the baton.

  Earlier, put into bat first, Chattogram were well placed at 107-2 in
12.5 overs when the rain arrived. Their English recruit Will Jacks
continued his rich vein of form, treating the Comilla bowlers in
disdain.

  Nahidul Islam forced Chattogram to make a disastrous start,
dismissing Chadwick Walton for duck but Jacks and Afif Hossain kept
the side rolling. Tanvir Islam broke the 62-run partnership, removing
Afif for 27.

  Shamim Patwari and Jakes got going well to keep Chattogram in the
hunt of the big scorer. However the rain spoiled their party as
Mustafizur Rahman found the wet pitch well suited to his cutter and
slower, which enabled him to take five wickets.

  After the rain, Mustafizur brought back the side in the contention,
taking out Jacks who struck 57 off 37 with five fours and three sixes
and Shamim, who made 26 in the space of three deliveries. He then
cleaned up that tail with a display of cutter and slower to complete
his third five-wicket haul in T20 cricket.BSS