Chattogram topples Dhaka in high-scoring thriller to grab top spot

Chattogram Challengers grew with strength to strength at their home venue as they racked up the BPL's third-highest score and in doing so beat Dhaka Platoon by 16 runs in a high-scoring thriller at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium today.

This was Chattogram's fourth victory in five matches, which propelled them to the top of the special edition of BPL, namely Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BBPL) with eight points.

Dhaka's decision to send Chattogram batting first backfired as the hosts compiled 221-4, which is third-highest score behind 239 of Rangpur Riders and 237 of Cumilla Victorians. Both of those two high scores came in the last season at this venue.

Dhaka Platoon, however, kept them till the last over of the match before young Mehedi Hasan Rana hogged all the limelight with an excellent over to wrap up Dhaka to 205 runs in 20 overs. Rana ended with 3-23 in four overs in the match of run-fest.

Chattogram captain Mahmudullah Riyad who suffered a hamstring injury during fielding led the side in batting, blasting 59 off 28 that included five fours and four sixes. However, the platform was set by their West Indies opener Lendl Simmons, who hammered 36 ball-57, also clattering five fours and four sixes.

With Avishka Fernando, Simmons shared 51 runs in just 28 balls for the opening stand to give the side a high-flying start. Before Hasan Mahmud produced the breakthrough for Dhaka, Fernando struck 26 off 13 with four fours and one six.

Simmons was the second to go but not before pushing the side to 100 in just 10 overs. He was in his zone to hit all the things around the park but an unfortunate run-out ended his run.

Imrul Kayes continued his rich vein of form and shared 63-run with captain Mahmudullah to bolster the side's position further. Kayes smote five fours and one six in his 40 off 24.

Mahmudullha, however, kept hitting everything around and took the side closer to 200 before being dismissed by Hasan Mahmud. Chadwick Walton then blasted an unbeaten 27 off 18 to help the side reach a daunting position.

Young Hasan Mahmud was the most successful bowler for Dhaka with two scalps but gave away a whopping 55 runs in four overs.

Dhaka was without the service of inform opener Tamim Iqbal and it affected their batting strength too. Anamul Haque Bijoy was dismissed for 1 before Mominul Haque, who replaced Tamim in opening position and Jaker Ali shared 52-run for the second wicket.

Muktar Ali dealt a double blow Dhaka, getting rid of Jaker (27) and Laurie Evans (17) to further derail them. Dhaka kept fighting through Mominul and kept the asking rate in their favour.

Nasir Hossain ended Mominul's 35 ball-52 before Thisara Perera kept the side in the track. Mashrafe Bin Mortaza meanwhile further gave Dhaka a ray of hope with 6 ball-23, including three straight sixes off Nasir before the latter laughed the last.

With Perera kept hitting sixes, there was still hope for Dhaka despite wickets were tumbling. However, with 21 runs needing in the last over and Thisara Perera in the strike, young Mehedi Hasan Rana held his nerve to deliver an excellent over to give Chattogram the victory. Perera was out in the last ball with 47 off 27, hitting three fours and four sixes.