Fizz, Liton and Kayes star as Comilla crush Ctg

After Mustafizur Rahman recorded his best-ever bowling figures in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Comilla Victorians skipper Imrul Kayes and Liton Das strung together a century opening stand to make easy work of a modest target as they thumped Chattogram Challengers by nine wickets (via DLS) in a curtailed-over game in Mirpur today.

While Mustafizur's five for 27 in four overs helped Comilla restrict Chattogram to 138 for eight, Kayes and Liton put together an explosive 138-run opening stand to get Comilla over the line with nine balls to spare in a game that was reduced to 18-over-a-side.

Asked to bat first, Chattogram were looking solid after an early setback as a half-century from Will Jacks and decent batting displays from Afif Hossain (27 off 21) and Shamim Hossain (26 off 22)  guided their side to 107 for two in 12.5 overs before rain interrupted the play.

However, when the match resumed, Mustafizur picked up the crucial wickets of Will Jacks (57 off 37) and Shamim in the same over to sway the momentum of the game towards Comilla.

Mustafizur stole the show yet again in his following over, dismissing Chattogram skipper Naeem Islam with a stunning one-handed return catch after the right-handed batter tried to heave the ball straight past the bowler. A couple of balls later, his lower full-toss was mistimed by Ben Howell and ended up in the palms of Imrul Kayes at mid-off.

The left-arm seamer completed his fifer by picking up Mehedi Hasan Miraz in the last over of their innings.

Liton Das and Imrul Kayes talks after a boundary. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

In reply, Victorians' openers Imrul and Liton came with all guns blazing. Imrul led the charge, remaining unbeaten on 81 off just 62 deliveries during a knock that featured six fours and five maximums.

Liton Das in action. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Liton, meanwhile, smashed a 37-ball 53, laced with four boundaries and three sixes, before falling prey to Mirttunjoy Chowdhury in the 17th over. But the batter had done his job by that time as Comilla were already on the verge of victory.

Imrul Kayes plays a shot. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

After Liton's departure, Imrul hit a boundary and a maximum to finish the chase off in style.