Sylhet win thrilling victory over Comilla

Sylhet Strikers stunned Comilla Victorians after they imposed a 12-run defeat on the reigning champions during their penultimate league stage match of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Monday.

Sylhet stuns Comilla to clinch thrilling win Sylhet all-rounder Benny Howell struck an unbeaten 62 off 31 balls while their newly foreign recruit Kennar Lewis also made 33 runs at the top as they posted 177-5 in 20 overs after they elected to bat first.

Comilla, in reply, lost two early wickets but skipper Liton struck a sensational knock of 85 off 58 balls – his career-best score in T20s – to take his side close to victory.

However, Comilla failed to produce a late onslaught in their innings and despite Andre Russell’s making 14-ball 23, they had to finish at 165-6 in their 20 overs.

“I didn’t have any disappointment for missing the hundred. I’m disappointed because the team lost the game,” Liton told reporters after the match.

Sylhet pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib finished with 3-33 while Howell, Samit Patel, and Shafiqul Islam took one wicket each.

Sylhet’s win also ended Comilla’s five-match winning streak in the tournament and it was also their fourth win in the tournament.

Meanwhile, despite losing the contest, Comilla remained second in the points table with 14 points from 10 games.

Chasing a target of 178 runs, Comilla lost opener Imrul Kayes (three) and number three Tawhid Hridoy (17) within the power-play but Liton put up a 79-run stand with Johnson Charles (12 off 21 balls) to bring their side back in the contest.