Victorians Reach BPL Final For Third Successive Time 

Defending champions Comilla Victorians qualified for the final in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League as they beat Rangpur Riders by six wickets during the first qualifier at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Monday.

Comilla skipper Liton Das was the star of the show as he struck 83 off 57 balls while Tawhid Hridoy made 64 off 43 balls to power the four-time champions to 186-4 in 18.3 overs to confirm their third successive final berth.

The pair came in the middle after Rangpur pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi (2-27) removed Sunil Narine (0) in the first ball of Comilla’s innings and Liton and Hridoy then put up a massive 143-run stand in just 89 balls to set up the victory of their side.

Moeen Ali (12 not out) hit Farooqi a massive six over long-on to confirm Comilla’s final berth for the fifth time. Interestingly, Comilla previously never lost in a BPL final.

Earlier, Rangpur all-rounder Jimmy Neesham struck an unbeaten 97 off 49 balls with eight fours and seven sixes while Rangpur skipper Nurul Hasan Sohan made a vital 30 off 24 balls as they posted 185-6 in 20 overs after being sent into bat first.

Despite the defeat, Rangpur will get another chance to qualify for the final as they will now face Fortune Barishal in the second qualifier in Mirpur on Wednesday.