Bangladesh Premier League 2023 , January 9th Round-Up

image-lcp0ruzmUsman Khan celebrating his century (Source: Twitter)

The third day of the league stage in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) saw a total of two matches unfolding at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Let’s take a quick review of what transpired.

Match 5: Comilla Victorians vs Sylhet Strikers

Towhid Hridoy was the star with the bat as Sylhet Strikers defeated Comilla Victorians by 5 wickets and continued their winning streak to three.

Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Comilla Victorians had a brilliant start in the powerplay, scoring 47, but lost three wickets. Dawid Malan and young Jaker Ali tried to reconstruct the innings and added 53 runs for the 4th wicket. Jaker went on to score an unbeaten 57 off 43 balls and helped his side post a competitive 149 for 6 in 20 overs. With the ball, Mohammad Amir took 2 scalps and was the pick of the bowlers for the Strikers.

Chasing the target of 150, Strikers lost Mohammad Haris early but the duo of Shanto and Towhid stepped up once again. However, Shanto could not make his start count, but Towhid went on to score a match winning half century. Towhid got out after 56 off 37 and left his side with the rather comfortable task of getting 23 runs in more than 5 overs. Sylhet Strikers went on to finish the chase with more than two overs remaining.

Brief Score

Comilla Victorians: 149/6 (20 Overs)

Jaker Ali 57* (43), Dawid Malan 37 (39);
Mohammad Amir 2-22 (4), Thisara Perera 2-26 (4)

Sylhet Strikers: 150/5 (17.4 Overs)

Towhid Hridoy 56 (37), Mushfiqur Rahim 28 (25);
Mohammad Nabi 2-28 (4), Khushdil Shah 2-29 (4)

Sylhet Strikers won by 5 wickets.

Match 6: Chattogram Challengers vs Khulna Tigers

Usman Khan unbeaten century helped Chattogram Challengers to beat Khulna Tigers by 9 wickets.

Batting first, Khulna Tigers had a horrible start with the bat as they were 13 for 2 in the first four overs. Azam Khan, batting at four, wasted no time and extracted two big overs to take the score to 39 for 2 at the end of the powerplay. Tamim Iqbal played the second fiddle to Azam and the duo added 92 runs for the third wicket. With wickets beginning to fall regularly, Azam began to counter attack and went on to score his maiden T20 century. Khulna Tigers posted 178 for 5 in 20 overs with Azam remaining not out with 109 off 58.

Chasing the target, Chattogram Challengers’ openers got them off to a great start, scoring 50 for not in the first 6 overs. Max O’Dowd, who did not start in the last game scored a brilliant half century. His partner Usman Khan started slowly but went on to score his half century off 34 balls. The duo added a massive 141-run for the first wicket, needing 38 off the last five overs. Usman completed his century and the Challengers completed the chase with four balls remaining. With the ball, Nahidul was the only one who could extract a wicket. 

Brief Score:

Khulna Tigers: 178/5 (20 Overs)

Azam Khan 109 (58), Tamim Iqbal 40 (37);
Abu Jayed 2-29 (4), Shuvagata Hom 1-15 (3)

Chattogram Challengers: 196/4 (19 Overs)

Usman Khan 103* (58), Max O’Dowd 58 (50);
Nahidul Islam 1-26 (3)

Chattogram Strikers won by 9 wickets.

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