Comilla win fourth BPL trophy

Powered by an unbeaten 52-ball 79 from Johnson Charles, Comilla Victorians won a record-extending fourth Bangladesh Premier League title as they secured a seven-wicket victory against Sylhet Strikers in the final at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.

Liton Das had set the tone for Comilla as they began chase of a fighting 176-run target, set up by fifties from Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim.

However, despite their flying start, Comilla lost the wickets of Sunil Narine and skipper Imrul Kayes inside the Powerplay. Yet, Liton continued his fine form along with Charles to add 70 for the third wicket and set the platform.

Liton was dismissed after scoring 55 off 39 balls with seven fours and a six before Charles saw the most successful franchise in BPL history to yet another trophy.

Earlier, after being sent to bat, Sylhet were in a spot of bother after in-form batter Towhid Hridoy and skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza — who again promoted himself to No. 3 — were dismissed to leave them struggling on 26 for two in three overs.

Mushfiqur and Shanto then steadied the ship by adding 79 runs for the third wicket before the latter departed for a 45-ball 64 featuring nine fours and a six.

The left-hander, who registered his fourth fifty of the tournament, was the highest run getter of the BPL with 516 runs at a strike rate of 116.74. Shanto also became the first Bangladeshi to score more than 500 runs in a BPL season.

At the other end, Mushfiqur took on responsibility as Sylhet kept losing wickets at regular intervals, with only three batters able to reach double figures.

Mushfiqur ultimately remained unbeaten on 74 off 48 balls with the help of five fours and three sixes as Sylhet added 41 runs in the last four overs of the innings.

Left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman picked up two wickets while Andre Russell, Tanvir Islam, Sunil Narine and Moeen Ali took a wicket each for Comilla.