Run-fest in Chattogram
The Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram lived up to its billing as the most batting-friendly venue in the country as Chattogram Challengers racked up the highest total of this season’s Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League during a 16-run win over Dhaka Platoons yesterday.
Chattogram skipper Mahmudullah Riyad provided the firepower with 59 off just 28 balls, hitting four sixes and five fours as the hosts scored 221 for four. Dhaka gave spirited chase, with Mominul Haque scoring 52 off 35 balls and skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza providing late hope with a six-ball 23, but they eventually fell short as Thisara Perera was the last wicket to fall off the last ball with the score on 205.
The day’s first match also produced a mountain of runs as Cumilla Warriors -- riding on 40s from Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman and Dawid Malan -- chased down a formidable 181 for eight posted by Rangpur Rangers. For Rangpur, Mohammad Shahzad was the top scorer with a 27-ball 61 but they suffered from a lack of contributions from the others as Tom Abell, Mohammad Nabi and Lewis Gregory all scored 20s but did not stick around for the final flourish.
But it was the night match that offered even more value for the spectators. After being asked to bat, Chattogram opener Lendl Simmons started things off on the right note with a 36-ball 57 and all the batsmen contributed thereafter.
Imrul Kayes chipped in with 40 off 24 balls, but it was Mahmudullah’s fireworks at the end and an 18-ball 27 from Chadwick Walton that lifted Chattogram to a mammoth total.
During the chase, after Mashrafe’s blitz got Dhaka to within 50 runs of the target with 25 balls left, it was the hard-hitting Thisara Perera who took Dhaka close with 47 off 27 balls. For Chattogram, pacers Mehedi Hasan Rana and Muktar Ali took three wickets each.
Comments