Jacks, Moeen Sink Chattogram

Two Englishmen Will Jacks struck a blistering hundred and Moeen Ali displayed a brilliant all-round performance as defending champions Comilla Victorians began their campaign in the fourth phase of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2024 with a massive 73-run win over hosts Chattogram Challengers at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Tuesday.

Jacks blasted a 53 ball-108 not out and Moeen Ali hammered a blazing 24 ball-52 not out as Comilla posted 239-3 to emulate Rangpur Riders’ highest total (239-4) in 2019 at the same venue. Moeen also took 4-23 including a hat-trick to bowled out Chattogram for 166 in 16.3 overs. 

It was the second hat-trick of this ongoing BPL after Shoriful Islam’s hat-trick against Comilla in the first match and eighth overall in the tournament history.

Apart from them, Comilla skipper Liton Das smashed 60 off 31 deliveries before pacer Shohidul Islam sent him back to the pavilion. Shohidul also dismissed Towhid Hridoy for duck in consecutive deliveries but Comilla were in strong zone with 86-2 in eight overs.

Shykat Ali then gave the side further hope, taking out Brooke Guest for 10 with Comilla at 111-3 in 11.1 overs.

As Chattogram looked to bounce back in the game, Moeen and Jacks put a dent on it, combining 128 runs off just 53 balls for an undefeated fourth wicket stand. They indeed made 82 runs in the last five overs.

Chattogram also made a rapid start in the chase of the big total, with Josh Brown and Tanzid Hasan Tamim sharing 80 runs in just 7.3 overs, but Mustazifur Rahman broke through with the wicket of Tanzid who made team-best 41 off. 

Then, leg-spinner Rishad Hossain got the better of Brown for 36, Shykat Ali hammered 36 off 11 amid the wickets tumbling around him as Rishad Hossain, who grabbed 4-22, dismantled the middle order.

Moeen then sent back Shohdiul, Al-Amin Hossain and Bilal Khan in three balls to complete his hat-trick, which also wrapped up Chattogram’s innings.

Despite the day’s massive win, Comilla retained second in the seven team point table with 12 points from eight matches.