Rangpur Riders, Comilla Victorians, and Fortune Barishal remained unblemished in the fourth week of the BPL, with Rangpur continuing to lead the points table. Comilla is tied on points with Rangpur but behind in net run-rate. The Sylhet Strikers won their lone game this week, while Chattogram Challengers, Durdanto Dhaka, and Khulna Tigers all lost. Dhaka, with only one win in the competition, is out of contention for the knockout rounds. Here are a few highlights from the past week.
Hridoy, Jacks, Shakib, Tahir put in starring performances
Comilla started and closed the week with contrasting chases. Towhid Hridoy was outstanding in both games, scoring unblemished 108 and 91. Comilla completed a 176-run chase against Dhaka with one ball remaining. Hridoy, who had not been in top form since the previous season, smashed the tournament’s first century while the rest of the field failed. His undefeated 108 came from just 57 deliveries.
Then, Hridoy’s 91 not out helped Comilla chase down 164 against Khulna, which they completed with seven wickets and 21 balls remaining. Between these two victories, Will Jacks’ century helped Comilla tie the BPL’s highest total of 239-3 in their massive win over Chattogram.
Jacks hit ten sixes in his 108* off 53 balls, while Litton Das also made a rapid half-century. Moeen Ali scored a fast fifty before finishing the Chattogram innings with a hat-trick. There was also time in the contest for legspinner Rishad Hossain to record his first four-wicket haul. Chattogram’s Al-Amin Hossain had no such luck, conceding 69 runs in four overs, the highest by any bowler in BPL history.
Later that day, Rangpur smashed Khulna by 78 runs, scoring 219 for 5 batting first. Shakib Al Hasan and Mahedi Hasan both scored fifty before Imran Tahir got five wickets, the first by a leg spinner in the BPL. Alex Hales also hit a fast 60, but he was fighting alone.
Aside from Tahir, Rangpur’s two new additions, Reeza Hendricks and Jimmy Neesham, delivered good performances in their 53-run victory against Chattogram.
Soumya Sarkar, Mahmudullah, and Tamim Iqbal all scored 50s to help Barishal win vital games over Dhaka this week. However, Khulna collapsed and burnt. After winning their first four games in a row, they have now lost five straight.
Batter of the week – Towhid Hridoy
Towhid Hridoy has had one of those magical weeks, scoring an undefeated century and 91 this week. Both were chases for Comilla, and he remained calm throughout both encounters. Comilla was in difficulty against Dhaka, especially after losing wickets on a regular basis. Hridoy produced several stunning strokes, notably his whips and hoicks past midwicket; his cover-driving is also impressive when he is in form.
Bowler of the week – Imran Tahir
Imran Tahir has given a humorous aspect to the BPL since his late entrance. He arrived after finishing his SA20 assignments; this is his first time competing in the competition in Bangladesh. Tahir only took one wicket in his first game, but he followed it up with five. His celebrations have certainly struck a chord with the supporters in Dhaka and Chattogram, and Rangpur will be hoping he plays a huge role in the latter stages of the competition.
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