A fantastic five-wickets haul by Hasan Ali followed by Shoaib Malik’s match-winning half century saw Comilla Victorians to register a four-wickets victory over holders Dhaka Dynamites in the 21st match of AKS Bangladesh Premier League T20 held on Monday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur in the city.
With this day’s win, Victorians moved top of the table with 10 points from six matches while Dhaka Dynamites placed in second position with their previous credit of nine points playing seven outings.
The Pakistani right handed batsman Shoaib smashed an unbeaten knock of 53-ball off 54 runs, an innings that contained four boundaries and one six, as Comilla chase down the target with two balls to spare.
Comilla lost both their openers – Tamim Iqbal (18) and Liton Das (0) early. Tamim fell to Narine while Liton was clean bowled by Abu Haider.
Saddam Hossain sent back to inform batsman Imrul Kayes for 20 while Narine got his second wicket dismissing Darren Bravo for 12. Comilla eventually slipped to 99 for 5 in the face of tight bowling display by Dhaka Dynamites bowlers.
But 35-year old Malik kept his wicket intact on the other end left the field ensuring Comilla’s fifth victory in a row.
Hasan Ali of Comilla was named the player of the match for his impressive bowling performance.
A fantastic five-wicket haul by Comilla Victorians pacer Hasan Ali saw Dhaka Dynamites were dismissed at a paltry total of 128 in 18.3 overs, after Dhaka opted to bat first.
The 23-year Pakistani medium-pacer Hasan Ali gave his side Comilla to a good start as he got the scalp of Evin Lewis and Mehedi Maruf in his very first over.
West Indies batsman Sunil Narine, who came in to open the innings for Dhaka, played a responsible knock as he smashed a 45-ball 76, an innings that studded seven four’s and five sixes against the impressive Victorians bowlers.
On the other hand, Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara scored 28-run off 30 balls and during the process he shared 92-run third wicket partnership with Narine before Sangakkara was run out by a magnificent fielding by promising Mahedy Hasan.
The Dhaka Dynamite innings slumped when Narine and Kevin Pollard fell in quick succession. Narine perished to Mohammad Saifuddin in the 14th over before Pollard fell victim of run out.
Hasan Ali then returned to the attack to get the scalp of Mossadek Hossain- bowled in similar fashion to Mehedi Maruf. Jahurul Islam then fell leg-before to Rashid Khan and Dhaka skipper Shakib Al GHasan was bowled by Saifuddin.
Hasan finished his career best T20 figure with 5 for 20 runs in 3.3 overs. He was well supported by Saifuddin who bagged 2 for 29 runs.
