Chattogram through to playoffs

Chattogram Challengers became the first team to make it through to the playoffs of the BBPL after defeating Khulna Tigers by six wickets at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today.

Khulna were bowled out for a meagre 121 as they fell to their fourth defeat of the tournament on a difficult wicket not conducive to power hitting. Chattogram openers Lendl Simmons and Junaid Siddique started solidly during a 69-run opening stand. Junaid (38 off 39) and Simmons (36 off 28) were removed in the 11th and 12th over. Frylinck sent back Asela Gunaratne for a naught  Imrul Kayes ensured the victory with a 27-ball 30 as Chattogram went back to the top of the table with 14 points from 10 matches.

Earlier, Khulna lost early wickets in the form of Mehedi Hasan Miraz and star batsman Hashim Amla --the latter playing his first match this season – as youngster Mehedi Hasan Rana bagged both wickets. Shamsur Rahman fell soon after to Rubel Hossain and the responsibility fell upon Rilee Rossouw and Mushfiqur Rahim to build the innings. The duo starred in a 49-run partnership before Mushfiqur departed after a 24-ball 29. Rossouw kept things ticking with Robbie Frylinck during a 43-run fifth wicket stand. But on a pitch with uneven bounce, the theme continued of batsmen getting starts but not making hay. Rossouw fell after a 40-ball 48 and the innings fizzled away with Rana bagging one and Rubel scalping two more wickets.

Rubel ended with figures of 3 for 17 while Rana finished with three for 29. Kesrick Williams also bagged two wickets for Chattogram.