Mehedi stars as Comilla post 4-wicket win in BPL

A fantastic bowling display by Mehedi Hasan saw Comilla Victorians to register a hard-fought four-wicket victory over Rangpur Riders in the low scoring 35th match of AKS Bangladesh Premier League T20 held on Saturday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur.

Comilla's start was not well to chase the winning target of 98 runs set by Rangpur as they suffered early batting jolt losing five wickets in 79 runs in the score board, BSS reported.

But Cameo Marlon Samuels (20 n.o) and Hasan Ali (5 n.o) took Comilla at home making 100 for 6 with three balls to spare after Comilla lost opener Tamim Iqbal (22), Shoaib Malik (20) and Imrul Kayes (14) early during the chase.

With this win, Comilla Victorians, which earlier confirmed their last four spot in the tournament, maintained their top position in the points table with 16 points from 10 matches while Rangpur Riders remained at their previous credit of 10 points playing the same number of outings.

Despite the defeat, Rangpur still have a chance to qualify for the semi- final.

Mehedi Hasan of Comilla was named the player of the match for his magnificent bowling performance.

Earlier, a fierce bowling spells by Mehedi Hasan saw Rangpur Riders dismissed at a paltry total of 97 on 17.1 overs, after they were forced to bat first.

Mehedi brought the early blow on Rangpur innings as he sent back both Rangpur's openers - Ziaur Rahman and Chris Gayle - in his very first over.

Rangpur Riders then fall wobble as they slipped for 69 for 7 and could not come back in the match losing wickets in regular intervals in the face of tight bowling display by the Comilla Victorians bolwers.

Only three Rangpur batsmen -Brendon McCullum (24), Mohammad Mithun (17) and Sohag Gazi (12) were able to reach the double figure.

The 22-year old Mehedi, the wrecker in-chief, finished his spell with an impressive figure of 4 for 22 runs.

He was well supported by Mohammad Saifuddin who claimed 3 for 22 runs.

Prior to the match, both the team's players observed one minute silence on the ground as a mark of respect to the Late Annisul Huq, Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation.

Annisul Huq passed away in London, UK on November 30.