Chattogram Challengers joined with Rangpur Riders and Comilla Victorians to play in the Playoff stage after defeating Khulna Tigers in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) cricket on Tuesday.
Held at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium Chattogram, riding on a Tanzim Hasan Tamim’s 116 runs off 65 balls and later on Shuvagata Hom’s three wickets haul, the hosts crossed the last hurdle to advance to the knockout phase with a 65 runs victory over Khulna Tigers.
Despite losing the match Khulna Tigers still left a slim hope to move forward, but after difficult equations, as they will have to win their last match, Fortune Barishal will have to lose and they would have better run rate than Barishal.
However, in a must win situation to confirm the playoff, Chattogram Challengers piled up a challenging total of 192 runs for four wickets after deciding to bat first and made it success with a massive 65-run win.
The Challengers, after taking the strike lost the first wicket with four runs on the board. But Tanzid Hasan Tamim and one down Shykat Ali repaired the initial the damage with adding 56 runs of 36 balls. Later on the youngster Tanzid along with Tom Bruce played a splendid innings of 110 runs from just 10.1 overs at third wicket stand that steered Chattogram to set the defiant total.
Tanzid, in his blistering 116 off 65 deliveries smacked eight boundaries and as many over- boundaries. Bruce, coming at number four also maintained the turbulent drive with Tanzid scoring 36 runs from 23 deliveries with hitting a couple of boundaries and sixes.
Wayne Parnell, Nasum Ahmed, Mukidul Islam and Jason Holder took one wicket apiece for Khulna Tigers.
Replying to chase the big target, apart from the second wicket stand with the captain Anamul Haque and one down Shai Hope none of the partnership could stay for a long, as the Khulna Tigers’ innings was halted on 127 runs by 19.5 overs.
Considering the run rate, Khulna Tigers seemingly on contest up to 9.2 overs when they scored 82 runs for four wickets. But rest of the six batters could manage only 45 runs playing 10.2 overs.
In fact, after the one down batter Shai Hope getting out, besides Jason Holder (18) none of the eight batters could reach into double digit.
Opener and the captain of Khulna Tigers, Anamul Haque scored 35 runs off 24 balls and Shai Hope, who was also in attacking approach made a rapid 31 off 21 balls when it looked Khulna Tigers were going to take challenges.
But the dismal performances of the middle order batters, who got out in quick successions and as well as the tale-enders, Khulna were bundled out for paltry 127 runs to suffer 65 runs defeat, as Khulna Tigers were eliminated from the playoff contest.
Captain Shuvagata Hom led the Challengers’ bowling with taking three wickets for 25 runs in his four overs spells, Bilal Khan claimed two with Shakil, Shohidul, Romario and Nuhaduzzaman joined the celebration taking one wicket each.