BPL 2019-20: Match 27, Review- Cumilla Warriors survive batting implosion to end losing streak

Cumilla Warriors’ nearly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in their match against Chattogram Challengers at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. In they end, Dawid Malan and Co won by three wickets off last ball. The Warriors did an excellent job with the bat, but found it tough with the bat. Meanwhile, despite the defeat, the Challengers hold on to their top spot in the points table.

Challengers lose their way

The Challengers were jolted with a body as Imrul Kayes couldn’t play due to a hamstring injury. They also lost the toss, but Lendl Simmons (54) and Junaid Siddiqui (45) had other ideas. The duo put on 103 off 69 for the opening wicket. In the powerplay, they managed 54 runs and carried on to set a decent platform. Soumya Sarkar got rid of Simmons and it changed the course of the innings.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman pulled off a direct hit to send Siddiqui packing. From there on, the Challengers could only manage 55 runs off 47 balls. Chadwick Walton, Ryan Burl and Nurul Hasan Sohan got out on single digit scores. It was Ziaur Rahman’s 21-ball 34 with four sixes that injected some momentum into the innings. Sarkar was the standout Warriors’ bowler with a spell of 4-0-20-0.

Warriors hold their nerve in cliff-hanger

Stiaan van Zyl smacked a 12-ball 22 to kick start the Warriors’ run-chase. But Liam Plunkett removed him to strike first blood. Mehedi Hasan Rana cleaned up Robiul Islam to exert more pressure. Then it was Ziaur’s turn to pin Sabbir Rahman, who couldn’t get out of first gear. At the other end, Dawid Malan (74) also strained before he took 20 runs off Ziaur when the required rate went above 10.

He scored 17 off Plunkett’s third over to bring the target down to 34 off 30 balls. But the 17th and 18th over fetched only a couple of runs and the Warriors lost three wickets. The game was a witness to another turnaround. In the last over, Plunkett was needed to defend 16 runs. The target was reduced to three off the last ball and Mujeeb Ur Rahman hit a four to seal the fate of the game.

Brief Scores

Chattogram Challengers: 159/6 in 20 overs (Lendl Simmons 54, Junaid Siddiqui 45; Soumya Sarkar 2/20)

Cumilla Warriors: 161/7 in 20 overs (Dawid Malan 74, Stiaan van Zyl 22; Rubel Hossain 2/16)

Cumilla Warriors win by three wickets