Captain Liton Das and Towhid Hridoy struck fifties as defending champions Comilla Victorians overcame a Jimmy Neesham scare to beat Rangpur Riders by six wickets in the first qualifier of the Bangladesh Premier League at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Monday.
Having won the game, Comilla advanced to the final straightway and kept them on course for a hat-trick of titles, and record extending fifth overall.
Rangpur will now take on Fortune Barishal, who won the Eliminator earlier Monday beating Chattogram Challengers by seven wickets, in the second qualifier Wednesday for a spot in Friday’s grand finale at the home of cricket in Mirpur.
Neesham blasted an unbeaten 49-ball 97, featuring eight fours and seven sixes, and clubbed 28 runs in the last over to steer Rangpur to 185/6 following a shaky start after being asked to take first guard.
But his effort went in vain as the brilliance of Liton and Hridoy helped the Victorians overhaul the target with nine balls to spare.
Liton hammered 57-ball 83 with nine fours and four sixes while Hridoy smote five fours and four sixes in his 64 off 43.
The duo put on match-winning 143 for the second wicket after Comilla lost Sunil Narine in the first ball of the chase.
QUALIFIER 1
Rangpur Riders 185/6 (Neesham 97*, Russell 2/37) lost to Comilla Victorians 186/4 in 18.3 overs (Liton 83, Hridoy 64) by 6 wickets
