Comilla thrash Rajshahi by 9 wickets

Comilla Victorians caught Rajshahi Kings in spin-web to secure a nine-wicket victory, taking them in the third position of the points table of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) yesterday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital. Their Afghanistan spinners duo –skipper Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan were to the fore as Comilla restricted Rajshahi to 115 for seven, a score they comfortably gunned down in 15.1 overs, reaching 120 with the loss of just one wicket. Off-spinner Nabi returned an economical figure of 4-0-15-3 while leg-spinner Rashid Khan registered a more astonishing figure that read 4-0-7-2, to cause massive damage to Rajshahi. Lendl Simmons gave Rajshahi a whirlwind start after being sent to bat first, but his hamstring injury came as a blow for the team. Even though Comilla dismissed Mominul Haque and Rony Talukdar early, leaving the scoreboard at 29 for two, Simmons’ big-hitting prowess kept the side moving. Simmons hit six fours and one six in his 23 ball-40 that eventually became highest score of the side.

Mushfiqur Rahim, who led the side in absence of injured Darren Sammy, showed some guts but Rashid Khan came up with a double blow to jolt Rajshahi in such a way that they could never recover from there. Khan first got rid of Rahim for 14 and then in his next over got the better of big-hitter Malcolm Waller (1) to change the equation of the match.

Rashid and Nabi then, in a joint-venture, stemmed the run-flow to ensure that Rajshahi wouldn’t go far. At one stage, Rajshahi were even in the danger of not going past the 100 runs mark. Farhad Reza’s 25, however, prevented Rajshahi from that shamble at the end. Responding to 115 of Rajshahi, Comilla Victorians opener Liton Das collected 22 runs in the second over, bowled by Farhad Reza to kick-start the chase in an emphatic fashion but perished to a slower in the last ball of the same over. However, it mattered little as his 12-ball 23, including two fours and as many sixes, gave the side a much-needed momentum in pursuit of a small total.

Joss Buttler and Imrul Kayes, initially though weren’t as fluent as they used to be, didn’t allow the Rajshahi bowlers to strangle them. Both of them ticked the scoreboard with a series of singles and more importantly kept their composure. As the time progressed, both of them came out from shell and finally made it a one-sided contest.

They finally combined for an undefeated 97-run for the second stand to sail the side home with 29 balls to spare. Butler was not out on 50 off 39, hitting four fours and two sixes, while Kayes was on 44 off 41 with four fours and a six that sealed the deal.

 

Comilla thrash Rajshahi by 9 wickets

Comilla Victorians caught Rajshahi Kings in spin-web to secure a nine-wicket victory, taking them in the third position of the points table of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) yesterday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital. Their Afghanistan spinners duo skipper Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan were to the fore as Comilla restricted Rajshahi to 115 for seven, a score they comfortably gunned down in 15.1 overs, reaching 120 with the loss of just one wicket. Off-spinner Nabi returned an economical figure of 4-0-15-3 while leg-spinner Rashid Khan registered a more astonishing figure that read 4-0-7-2, to cause massive damage to Rajshahi. Lendl Simmons gave Rajshahi a whirlwind start after being sent to bat first, but his hamstring injury came as a blow for the team. Even though Comilla dismissed Mominul Haque and Rony Talukdar early, leaving the scoreboard at 29 for two, Simmons big-hitting prowess kept the side moving. Simmons hit six fours and one six in his 23 ball-40 that eventually became highest score of the side. Mushfiqur Rahim, who led the side in absence of injured Darren Sammy, showed some guts but Rashid Khan came up with a double blow to jolt Rajshahi in such a way that they could never recover from there. Khan first got rid of Rahim for 14 and then in his next over got the better of big-hitter Malcolm Waller (1) to change the equation of the match. Rashid and Nabi then, in a joint-venture, stemmed the run-flow to ensure that Rajshahi wouldnt go far. At one stage, Rajshahi were even in the danger of not going past the 100 runs mark. Farhad Rezas 25, however, prevented Rajshahi from that shamble at the end. Responding to 115 of Rajshahi, Comilla Victorians opener Liton Das collected 22 runs in the second over, bowled by Farhad Reza to kick-start the chase in an emphatic fashion but perished to a slower in the last ball of the same over. However, it mattered little as his 12-ball 23, including two fours and as many sixes, gave the side a much-needed momentum in pursuit of a small total. Joss Buttler and Imrul Kayes, initially though werent as fluent as they used to be, didnt allow the Rajshahi bowlers to strangle them. Both of them ticked the scoreboard with a series of singles and more importantly kept their composure. As the time progressed, both of them came out from shell and finally made it a one-sided contest. They finally combined for an undefeated 97-run for the second stand to sail the side home with 29 balls to spare. Butler was not out on 50 off 39, hitting four fours and two sixes, while Kayes was on 44 off 41 with four fours and a six that sealed the deal.