BPL 3 Match 11 Review: Comilla Victorians v Rangpur Riders, Kulasekara stars in an imposing win for the Victorians

The Rangpur Riders were without their inspirational captain Shakib Al Hasan who received a one BPL match suspension after breaching the BCB’s code of conduct during the match against Sylhet Super Stars on Thursday. His absence hurt his team badly as the Riders put on a listless performance against the Comilla Victorians. Misbah-ul-Haq, who led the Riders today, lost the toss and was put into bat by Mashrafe Mortaza.

The Sri Lankan Nuwan Kulasekara’s first over, the second of the innings, produced two in two which gave his team a perfect start. Soumya Sarkar’s leading edge went high in the air down to the third-man and Marlon Samuels took the catch. Lendl Simmons went for a drive through the off side only to edge the ball to Imrul at slip. Sunil Narine got Jahurul Islam’s wicket as he holed out at deep mid-wicket.

At the end of 5 overs, the Riders were 18/3 and looking down the barrel. Misbah was unlucky to be given our LBW as the ball from Abu Haider had pitched outside the leg stump. He made 6 off 17 balls looking to stabilize the innings. Al-Amin was removed by Ashar Zaidi LBW for a duck. Thisara Perera became Haider’s second wicket which left his side reeling at 54/6. Mohammad Mithun top scored for 28 off 42 balls and was dismissed in the 17^th over becoming Kulasekara’s third wicket. He completed his four-for with the wicket of Sachithra Senanayake. Arafat Sunny was run-out in the same over, the penultimate over of the innings. Saqlain Sajib’s was the last wicket to fall on the last ball of the innings as the Riders finished on a disappointing 82/10.

In reply, the Victorians got off to a steady start before Mahmudul Hasan was dismissed for 11 in the 6^th over with the score on 29. Using his feet and looking to take on Arafat Sunny, he managed only a leading edge which went straight into the hands of Misbah at short extra cover. Samuels walked in and looked positive as he hit 2 fours in the 8^th over bowled by Sunny. Abu Jayed bowled a wide one outside off stump which Imrul Kayes edged to Simmons at slip however he failed to hold onto it.

Samuels hit 1 six and 4 fours in the same over signaling his intent to finish off the match early. Kayes was again dropped at long-off however it wouldn’t have made any difference to the result. He scored 24* off 29 balls while Samuels’ 42 off just 24 balls ensured a comfortable 9 wicket win for the Victorians with 49 balls to spare. The West Indian smashed 8 fours and 1 six in an entertaining knock. He was surprisingly declared the Man-of-the-Match instead of Kulasekara who seemed to deserve it for his outstanding spell of 4/12.

Brief Scores:

Rangpur Riders – 82/10 in 20 overs (M Mithun 28; N Kulasekara 4/12)

Comilla Victorians – 84/1 in 11.5 overs (M Samuels 42*; A Sunny 1/13)

Man of the Match: Marlon Samuels (Comilla Victorians)