BPL 2017, Match 5 Review: Comilla Victorians register eight-wicket win over Chittagong Vikings

Comilla Victorians registered their maiden victory in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2017. The Mohammad Nabi led team defeated Chittagong Vikings by eight wickets at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet on Tuesday (November 7).

All-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin, who was recently battered by South Africa batsman David Miller in a T20I match and conceded five consecutive sixes, was adjudged man of the match as he picked up three wickets in four overs conceding just 23 runs. With this victory, Comilla were elevated to the fourth position of the points table with one win and a defeat.

Batting first Misbah-ul-Haq led Chittagong set a modest 144 runs total for Comilla. However, after the opening pair Luke Ronchi (40), Soumya Sarkar (38) built a 63 runs partnership in 5.5 overs Chittagong failed to capitalize on it. They lost quick wickets which derailed their tempo in the match.

As Camilla bowlers, Dwayne Bravo and Saifuddin rattled through the Chittagong middle order the Misbah-ul-Haq side failed to retaliate. While Bravo took two wickets, Saifuddin grabbed three.

Comilla in reply got off to a flying start from the opening duo Liton Das (23) and England opener Jose Buttler (48) which set the momentum for Comilla’s chase. After young Bangladesh medium-pacer, Subhashis Roy sent back both the openers unbeaten batsmen Imrunl Kayes and Marlon Samuels did the rest of the job. The second wicket partnership between Samuels (35) and Kayes (33) take Comilla home. Between the day Samuels was more aggressive. The West Indies batsman hit one six and four boundaries to complete the rout over Chittagong.

This victory is expected to work as a confidence booster for Comilla. At the same time, Misbah’s team has areas to rectify to come back with a different mindset.

Brief Scores: 

Chittagong Vikings- 143/7 (Luke Ronchi 40; Mohammad Saifuddin 23 for 3 in four overs)

Comilla Victorians- 144/2 ( Jose Butter 48; Subhashis Roy 24 for 2 in 3.2 overs)