DHAKA, Dec 18, 2019 (BSS) – Chattogram Challengers grew with strength to
strength at their home venue as they racked up the BPL’s third highest score
and in doing so beat Dhaka Platoon by 16 runs in a high-scoring thriller at
the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium today.
This was Chattogram’s fourth victory in five matches, which propelled
them to the top of the special edition of BPL, namely Bangabandhu Bangladesh
Premier League (BBPL) with eight points.
Dhaka’s decision to send Chattogram batting first backfired as the hosts
compiled 221-4, which is third highest score behind 239 of Rangpur Riders and
237 of Cumilla Victorians. Both of those two high scores came in the last
season at this venue.
Dhaka Platoon however kept them till the last over of the match before
young Mehedi Hasan Rana hogged all the limelight with an excellent over to
wrap up Dhaka to 205 runs in 20 overs. Rana ended with 3-23 in four overs in
the match of run-fest.
Chattogram captain Mahmudullah Riyad who suffered a hamstring injury
during fielding led the side in batting, blasting 59 off 28 that included
five fours and four sixes. However the platform was set by their West Indies
opener Lendl Simmons, who hammered 36 ball-57, also clattering five fours and
four sixes.
With Avishka Fernadno, Simmons shared 51 runs in just 28 balls for the
opening stand to give the side a high-flying start. Before Hasan Mahmud
produced the breakthrough for Dhaka, Fernando struck 26 off 13 with four
fours and one six.
Simmons was the second to go but not before pushing the side to 100 in
just 10 overs. He was in his zone to hit all the things around the park but
an unfortunate run-out ended his run.
Imrul Kayes continued his rich vein of form and shared 63-run with
captain Mahmudullah to bolster the side’s position further. Kayes smote five
fours and one six in his 40 off 24.
Mahmudullha however kept hitting everything around and took the side
closer to 200 before being dismissed by Hasan Mahmud.
Chadwick Walton then blasted an unbeaten 27 off 18 to help the side
reach a daunting position.
Young Hasan Mahmud was the most successful bowler for Dhaka with two
scalps but gave away a whopping 55 runs in four overs.
Dhaka was without the service of inform opener Tamim Iqbal and it
affected their batting strength too. Anamul Haque Bijoy was dismissed for 1
before Mominul Haque, who replaced Tamim in opening position and Jaker Ali
shared 52-run for the second wicket.
Muktar Ali dealt a double blow Dhaka, getting rid of Jaker (27) and
Laurie Evans (17) to further derail them.
Dhaka kept fighting through Mominul and kept the asking rate in their
favour.
Nasir Hossain ended Mominul’s 35 ball-52 before Thisara Perera kept the
side in track. Mashrafe Bin Mortaza meanwhile further gave Dhaka a ray of
hope with 6 ball-23, including three straight sixes off Nasir before the
latter laughed the last.
With Perera kept hitting sixes, there was still hope for Dhaka despite
wickets were tumbling. However with 21 runs needing in the last over and
Thisara Perera in the strike, young Mehedi Hasan Rana held his nerve to
deliver an excellent over to give Chattogram the victory. Perera was out in
the last ball with 47 off 27, hitting three fours and four sixes.