A whirlwind fifty from Sunil Narine helped Comilla Victorians cruise past Chattogram Challengers to reach the final of Bangladesh Premier League 2022. They overhauled a target of 149 with 7.1 overs to spare, thanks to a 16-ball 57 from Narine, who was adjudged Player of the Match.
Shoriful Islam struck with the first ball of the Victorians innings, getting Liton Das caught by Akbar Ali. But Narine and Imrul Kayes added 79 for the second wicket to set up an easy win for their team.
Narine reached his fifty in just 13 balls, with a six off Mrittunjoy Chowdhury in the sixth over. Chowdhury had his revenge three balls later, but the damage was already done.
Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali scored 30 each as the Victorians completed the chase in 12.5 overs.
Earlier, Shohidul Islam and Moeen Ali took three wickets each to skittle out the Challengers to 148. Moeen struck twice in his opening over, getting rid of Zakir Hasan and Shamim Hossain with successive balls, to reduce the Challengers to 43/4. Mehidy Hasan Miraz (44 in 38 balls) and Akbar Ali (33) steadied the innings, adding 61 for the sixth wicket.
Chattogram Challengers 148 in 19.1 overs (Miraz 44; Moeen 3-20) lost to Comilla Victorians 149/ 3 in 12.5 overs (Narine 57; Howell 1-11) by 7 wickets with 43 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Sunil Narine