BPL 2019-20: Match 21, Review- Imrul Kayes consolidates Chattogram Challengers’ grip at the top

The match between Dhaka Platoon and Chattogram Challengers wasn’t a high-scoring affair. But the crowd at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium was kept on the edge of the sets for a chunk of the game. After a lot of twists and turns, the Imrul Kayes-led Challengers got home by six wickets. It not only helped the visitors tighten their grip at the top, but also took them a step closer to the playoffs.

Platoon capitulates

On a slow and low strip, the Challengers decided to have a go at the Dhaka batters after winning the toss. Tamim Iqbal (21) and Anamul Haque (14) made a steady start for the hosts, putting on 32 in 5.4 overs. But a mix-up between the duo led to Anamul’s run-out as Chadwick Walton threw the stumps down. The Platoon lost their way from there on and slumped to 68 for seven in the 14th over.

Mominul Haque, who came to bat at four, saw wickets going down at an alarming rate. But the left-hander put his head down for a 34-ball 32 with three fours. Wahab Riaz (23) and Mashrafe Mortaza (17) added 31 runs in 19 balls to inject some momentum. The blitz at the death took Dhaka to a respectable 124 for nine. For the Challengers, Muktar Ali and Ryan Burl got a couple of scalps each.

Imrul Kayes shepherds his team through

Lendl Simmons tried to take the Platoon bowling by the scruff of its neck. The opener cleared the ropes a couple of times before Mashrafe got rid of him. Junaid Siddiqui fell prey to Mahedi Hasan. The onus was then on Chadwick Walton (25) and Imrul Kayes (34*) to steady the ship. In the eighth over, the Challengers took apart Thisara Perera for 18 runs and got the visitors back in contention.

Wahab pinned Walton to break the ominous-looking 41-run stand off 38 balls. Burl got 13 with two fours before Riaz castled him. In the last 27 balls, the Challengers needed 25 runs with Kayes in the middle. Imrul didn’t lose his cool and got to his fifty of 52 balls, driving Wahab for a four through the covers. In the next ball, the skipper picked up a single to take his team home with eight balls left.

Brief Scores

Dhaka Platoon: – 124/9 in 20 overs (Mominul Haque 32, Wahab Riaz 23; Muktar Ali 2/18)

Chattogram Challengers: – (Imrul Kayes 54* Chadwick Walton 25; Wahab Riaz 2/18)

Chattogram Challengers win by six wickets.