Comilla make it five in a row with Khulna win 

Comilla Victorians edged Khulna Tigers in a four-run thrilling victory to win their fifth straight match of the Bangladesh Premier League at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Imrul Kayes's side defended 165 for two, courtesy of some masterful death bowling by speedster Naseem Shah who trapped Tamim Iqbal lbw with the new ball and then came back to bowl the 19th over where he castled Shai Hope and executed some spearing yorkers conceding only eight runs leaving Mosaddek Hossain to defend 16 runs in the penultimate over.

Naseem finished with figures of two for 29 runs and Mustafizur Rahman, on his comeback from injury, also impressed as he kept it tight scalping one wicket for just 15 runs, while the reliable left-arm spin of Tanvir Islam, who sent back the dangerous Azam Khan, put on a strangle-hold on Khulna batters.

Earlier, Comilla, who were sent into bat first, posted 165-2 on the back of watchful fifties from Liton Das and Mohammad Rizwan. Liton smashed nine fours for his 42-ball 50 before he fell to off-spinner Nahidul Islam but Rizwan, who had to work hard for his runs, hit four fours and a six and remained unbeaten on 52 off 47 deliveries. 

Liton and Rizwan's steady approach demanded some fireworks from the other end and Caribbean recruit Johnson Charles took charge of delivering some lusty blows. The right-handed batter muscled five sixes for his 22-ball 39 propelling Comilla's total to 165-2.

In reply, opener Tamim's batting woes continued as he perished for a 10-ball 11 but Irishman Andy Balbirnie put together a 49-run stand with Shai Hope before being run out for 38 runs.

Hope was keen on playing the anchor role as he struggled to find the fence but Mahmudul Hasan Joy smashed two fours and two sixes in his cameo of 26 runs of 13 balls before he nicked one off Mosadeek to wicket-keeper Rizwan.

Azam Khan and Mohammad Saifuddin didn't trouble the scorers much but a well-set Hope, who had chewed up 32 balls for his 33 runs couldn't raise much hope for Khulna as he got yorked in the 19th over, while skipper Yasir Ali Chowdhury hit three fours and one six for a 19-ball 30 but it wasn't enough as Mosaddek held his nerves to defend 16 runs in the final over.