Imrul Kayes trumped an extraordinary Mohammad Mithun to guide Chattogram Challengers to a comprehensive five-wicket victory over Sylhet Thunder in the opening game of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BBPL) at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, reports Cricfrenzy.
Mithun struck his career-best 48 ball-84, a knock that could easily be termed as one of the best T20 knock played by Bangladeshi batsman as Sylhet racked up a respectable 162-4. But Chattogram, led by Captain Kayes, who just came up here with a horror India series behind him, made a mockery of it, reaching the target in 19 overs with 163-5.
In pursuit of the chase, Chattogram Challengers were reduced to 42-3 in six overs. Left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam Opu removesd Junaid Siddique and Nasir Hossain in consecutive deliveries to give the double blow first before Krishmar Santokie, the West Indian slow medium bowler dismissed Avishka Fernando who smashed three fours and three sixes in his 33 off 26. The situation worsened when Sylhet captain Mosaddek Hossain Saikat took out the wicket of Ryan Burl for 3, with Chattogram at 64-4.
As things looked ominous, Imrul Kayes came up with his dazzling best. Bringing up all kinds of shots from his repertoire, he came down heavily on the bowlers to make them disarray.
He got a perfect foil to him in Chadwick Walton and the duo combined for an 86-run for the fifth wicket stand to take the side on the verge of victory.
Fast bowler Ebadat Hossain dismissed Kayes, after he struck two fours and five sixes in his 38 ball-61. However, Walton remained not out on 49 off 30 with three fours and two sixes to help the side sail the home with ease.
Earlier, Mithun’s show gave Sylhet a respectable total after a slow start. His 48 ball 84 not out in which he struck four fours and five sixes, indeed propelled the side past 150 as the other batsmen couldn’t bat at a higher strike rate in a pitch conducive to the batsman.
Opener Johnson Charles 23 ball-35 was the only other innings apart from Mithun that was made at a strike rate over 100.
Rubel Hossain claimed 2-27 while Nasum Ahmed and Ryad Emrit picked up one wicket apiece for Chattogram.