Comilla go top after routing Rangpur for 82

DHAKA: Having skittled Barisal Bulls for 89 in their previous game, Comilla Victorians topped that effort by bowling out Rangpur Riders for 82, now the lowest score batting first in the BPL. Nuwan Kulasekara did the bulk of the damage, taking figures of 4-1-12-4. Marlon Samuels then struck an unbeaten 42 off 24 balls, ensuring that Comilla finished the chase in 11.5 overs. The win lifted Comilla to the top of the table with three wins in four matches.

Samuels, who is scheduled to leave Dhaka tonight for the Australia tour, led the quickest chase in BPL history with eight fours and one six. Despite how well Samuels and Imrul Kayes batted, one was tempted to question the standard of the pitch - an used one where batting was difficult. Rangpur looked hypnotised by the trend of low-scoring performances as they lurched from one poor shot to the other.

The win was set up by Kulasekara, who struck in his first over, having Soumya Sarkar caught at third man while attempting a slog. Lendl Simmons was out next ball, edging behind to slip. Sunil Narine, who hadn't hit rhythm in the competition, then had Jahurul Islam caught at midwicket for 4.

Misbah-ul-Haq, who led Rangpur in the absence of the suspended Shakib Al Hasan, however, was unfortunate to be given out lbw when the Abu Hider ball had pitched outside the leg stump. Al-Amin also fell lbw as Rangpur slipped to 32 for 5 inside 11 overs.

Hider then got the big wicket for Thisara Perera when he holed out to long-on for 9 in the 14th over. He could have had Mohammad Mithun caught and bowled in his next over but lost balance and had the ball rolling onto the pitch. Kulasekara, though, removed Mithun, Hider coincidentally taking the catch. Rangpur's innings ended with two run outs and Kulasekara claimed career-best T20 figures.

Comilla lost Mahmudul Isam early in the chase but Kayes and Samuels took charge and steered their side home. Samuels was the more aggressive of the two, smashing four fours and a six off Abu Jayed.