ZCZC
BSP-17
CRICKET-BPL-COMILLA
Lewis’s breezy ton secures emphatic win for Comilla in BPL
CHATTOGRAM, Jan 28, 2019 (BSS)- Opener Evin Lewis scored a magnificent
unbeaten century saw Comilla Victorians to earn an overwhelming 80-run
victory against Khulna Titans in the 33rd match of Bangladesh Premier League
(BPL) T20 held on Monday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
Chasing a massive winning target of 238 runs set by Comilla, Khulna found
the chase stiff and dismissed at 157 in 18.5 overs.
The left handed batsman Lewis, who has been out with a hamstring injury,
today returned for the Comilla Victorians to hit an impressive century — the
fourth of the ongoing BPL this season — against the Khulna Titans, after
Comilla were forced to bat first by Khulna.
The hard-hitting Caribbean opener missed a few matches and upon his return,
he appeared to injure himself again as he tried to complete a quick single.
He did not look comfortable but his blistering way to 109 runs off 49-ball
with five fours and 10 sixes as Comilla amassed the second-highest ever BPL
total, only behind Rangpur Riders’ 239 which they scored against Chittagong
Vikings this season.
The two Comilla openers — Lewis and Tamim Iqbal– gave a good start
contributing 58 runs for the opening stand. Following a breezy opening stand,
Tamim (25) and Anamul Haque (0) both fell to Mahmudullah.
But, Lewis continued his onslaught and kept the pressure on the bowlers as
he and Imrul Kayes (39 off 21) paired another 98-run for the third-wicket
stand in just seven overs to guide Comilla to a commanding position.
Cameo Shamsur Rahman blazed 15-ball off 28 runs helped Comilla to set a
massive target for Khulna.
Mahmudullah and Carlos Brathwaite were the pick of Khulna’s bowlers as they
captured two wickets each conceding 32 and 42 runs respectively.
Openers Brendan Taylor and Junaid Siddique, however, gave Khulna a perfect
to chase the huge total contributing 55 runs for the opening stand before
Mahedi broke the partnership removing Junaid for 27 runs.
Pakistani recruit Shahid Afridi then accounted the wickets of Dawid Malan
and skipper Mahmudullah, leaving Khulna in trouble.
Opener Taylor looked determined to continue his innings but gave a return
catch to Afridi before making a 33-ball off 50 runs laced with five
boundaries and one over boundary.
After that, Khulna Titans failed to stage a fight back losing their wickets
in regular intervals and eventually lost all the wickets.
Wahab Riaz and Shahid Afridi were the most successful Comilla’s bowlers as
the duo picked up three Khulna’s wickets apiece giving away 14 and 27 runs
respectively.
Evan Lewis of Comilla was named the player of the match for his brilliant
century.
After the match Lewis said: “The team needed a big score from me …
unfortunately I got an injury but I still looked to push on. On any day you
want to go hard, but if your partner is going hard as well it helps to take
out some pressure. The guys batted really well around me and gave me a lot of
support which helped in the victory.
Khulna Titans skipper Mahmudullah said: “Probably when things aren’t going
well as it is difficult to take out positives. Really it has been a difficult
season for me and for the team. If you see our last few matches, we did well
with the ball early on but then the opposition gets to do something over 200.
Also while chasing when you lose early wickets, you lose the momentum. We
have one more match and we’ll look to give something to cheer for both our
fans and our owners.”
With this win, Comilla Victorians moved top of the table with 12 points
with nine matches while bottom-ranked Khulna Titans which already exit from
the tournament race, remained at their previous credit of four points playing
11 outings.
BSS/SG/SSS/1827 hrs