Comilla secure BPL 2024 Final spot after beating Rangpur

|| CF DESK ||

The record-breaking Comilla Victorians once again showcased their dominance as they outclassed the Rangpur Riders in the first Qualifier of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) season, securing a coveted spot in the final and an opportunity to vie for yet another title.

Towhid Hridoy and Litton Das orchestrated a batting masterpiece, steering Comilla to the final showdown slated for March 1st.

Despite facing an early setback with the loss of their key all-rounder Sunil Narine on the very first delivery to the Afghan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, who made his debut in this BPL match, Comilla's batting lineup exhibited remarkable resilience.

In an electrifying display of batting prowess, Litton and Towhid forged a sensational second-wicket partnership, amassing an impressive 143 runs, effectively wresting control of the match from Rangpur's grasp.

Towhid's blade wielded authority, notching a well-deserved fifty, while Litton also joined the festivities with a splendid half-century of his own. Towhid's stellar performance propelled him past Tamim Iqbal as the leading run-scorer of this BPL season, eclipsing the 400-run milestone. His innings culminated in a magnificent 83 off just 57 deliveries, adorned with five boundaries and four towering sixes.

With a composed chase, Comilla gracefully danced their way to victory, achieving the target of 186 runs with six wickets in hand and 9 balls to spare.

Earlier in the contest, Rangpur opted to bat first and posted a competitive total of 185 runs for the loss of six wickets. James Neesham emerged as the linchpin of their innings, crafting a scintillating 97 off 49 balls, featuring eight boundaries and seven maximums, remaining unbeaten till the end. Nurul Hasan, the Rangpur captain, provided valuable support with a composed knock of 30 runs.

Despite promising starts, Rangpur's other batsmen failed to sustain their momentum.

Comilla's stalwart, Andre Russell, made crucial breakthroughs by scalping two wickets for 37 runs.

With this resounding victory, Comilla marches confidently towards their fifth BPL final. Their impeccable track record speaks volumes, having emerged triumphant in all four of their previous appearances – an unparalleled feat in BPL history.