Soumya amongst the runs as Chattogram secure top spot

Soumya Sarkar was amongst the runs as Gazi Group Chattogram chased down Fortune Barishal's 149 to win by seven wickets and secure top spot in the five-team Bangabandhu T20 Cup.

Chattogram made easy work of the chase despite missing the likes of Liton Das, who was rested for the game as Soumya and Shykat Ali (39 off 33) starred in a 79-run opening stand.

Soumya, who managed quite a few decent starts in this tournament, was able to make it count today with a 37-ball 62, laced with seven fours and three sixes. Number three Mahmudullah Hasan Joy steered the team to victory with a 27-ball 31 after Soumya and skipper Mohammad Mithun's (3) departure.

Sumon Khan of Barishal bagged two wickets for 30 runs in his four overs.

Courtesy of the win, Chattogram finished top in the standings after seven matches as no other team in the tournament will be able to match their 12-point haul.

Earlier, Fortune Barishal managed 149 for six on the board against Chattogram despite a substantial partnership from the openers.

Tamim Iqbal (43 off 39) and Saif Hassan (46 off 33) contributed to more than half the team's runs during their opening partnership of 87 off 65 deliveries. Both openers however departed to Mosaddek Hossain and the middle-order slumped after that, denying Barishal a chance to go for a big total.

Afif Hossain remained unbeaten on a 16-ball 28. Mosaddek, Ziaur Rahman and Sanjit Saha bagged two wickets each.

Toss

Gazi Group Chattogram have won the toss and elected to field in their seventh game against Tamim Iqbal's Fortune Barishal in today's evening match of the Bangabandhu T20 Cup.

Barishal bagged a morale-boosting win in their last game, chasing down a 220-run target set by Rajshahi to keep their hopes alive in the tournament. While Barishal are still bottom of the standings, level on points with Rajshahi on four points, they have played six games to Rajshahi's seven.

If Tamim's side are to win today, they will be able to make sure that Rajshahi cannot surpass them on points.

Meanwhile, Chattogram are at the other end of the spectrum as the high-flyers of the tournament. Shamsur Rahman's knock on Tuesday against Gemcon Khulna ensured that Khulna returned to winning ways after their sole defeat in the tournament.