Mukidul five-for helps Comilla maintain unbeaten run

Pacer Mukidul Islam became the first bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League 2023 to help Comilla Victorians clinch a five-wicket win over Fortune Barishal in their penultimate league match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Tuesday.

Mukidul finished with 5-23 in 3.1 overs to dismantle Barishal batting line-up as they were bowled out for 121 runs in 19.1 overs after being sent into bat first.

In reply, Liton Das made 36 runs while Andre Russell and Khushdil Shah scored unbeaten 30 off 16 balls and 23 off 19 balls respectively as Comilla reached 122-5 in 18.3 overs to clinch their eighth successive victory in the ongoing tournament.

With this win, Comilla brightened their chances to finish the league stage as one of the two top teams as they moved to second place with 16 points from 11 games. It was also the first time in BPL history that a team won eight games in a row.

Barishal now slipped to the third spot with 14 points from 11 matches.

Apart from Mahmudullah (36) and Karim Janat (32), none of the Barishal batters could make decent contributions in their innings as they were bowled out cheaply in their innings.

Barishal’s innings fell apart after the dismissal of Mehidy Hasan Miraz (17) as they lost their last five wickets for just 10 runs within 22 deliveries.

Comilla didn’t make an ideal start in the small run chase as they lost wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 74-5 in the 15th over.

However, Russell, who was playing his first BPL match this year, smashed two fours and three sixes and shared an unbeaten stand of 46 runs with Khushdil for the sixth wicket stand to guide Comilla home with nine balls to spare.

Barishal’s Ebadot Hossain finished with 2-18.

Mukidul was named player of the match for his five-wicket haul.

Source: Daily Sun