Comilla pound Chittagong

Dhaka: A sensible batting display by Imrul Kayes and Jos Butter helped Comilla Victorians to register an overwhelming six-wicket victory over Chittagong Vikings in the 14th match of the AKS Bangladesh Premier League T20 held on Tuesday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur.

Chasing Vikings 139 runs, Comilla Victorians lost their opener Tamim Iqbal (4) and Liton Das (21) early, but a solid 74-run third wicket stand between Imrul Kayes and English batsman Jos Butter (44) took Victorians closer to the target, after slow start by Comilla. 

The 3-year left handed batsman Kayes hit three boundaries and two over boundaries during his 36-ball off 45 runs while butter smashed three boundaries and two over before boundaries off 31 balls.

Later, West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels (17 runs off 8-ball) completed the remaining formality with 11 balls to spare. He cracked two towering over boundaries and one boundary. 

Sunzamul Islam and Sri Lankan Dilshan Munaweera shared two wickets each for Vikings conceding 14 and 17 runs respectively. Imrul Kayes of Comilla was named the player of the match for his impressive batting performance in the match.

Earlier, disciplined bowling display by Comilla Victorians bowlers enabled them to restrict Chittagong Vikings at a 139 for 4 in 20 overs after they were forced to bat first by Comilla Victorians skipper Misbah-Ul Haq.

Despite a good 46-run opening stand by two Vikings openers - New Zealand batsman Luke Ronchi (31 runs off 19 balls) and Soumya Sarkar (30 runs off 32-ball) - the rests Vikings batsmen failed to utilize the advantage as Victorians bowers maintained good line and length.

Ronchi was the first Vikings batsman to go as he trapped leg before wicket off Saifuddin delivery while Soumya Sarkar perished to Afghan bowler Mohammad Nabi with the team's total stuck at 83 for 2 in 11.3 overs.

After the departure of two openers, Sikandar Raza (20) Dishan Munaweera (19) got off a good start but could not convert hoe in to big knocks.

Skipper Misbah-Ul Haque (16 n.o) and Chris Jordan (16 n.o) took Vikings total to a 139-run. Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Saifuddin and Dwayne Bravo all shared one wicket each for Victorians.

With this day's victory, Comilla Victorians reached the second position in the points table securing six points from four matches while Chittagong Vikings remained at their previous credit of two points splaying the same number of matches.