Shoriful, Mahedi lead Chattogram to victory against Noakhali

Noakhali Express' slim chance to keep their Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) playoffs hope was completely shattered after their five-wicket defeat to Chattogram Royals at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday.

The victory, however, confirmed Chattogram's top-two finish at the point table, ensuing that they would play the Qualifier-1. The advantage to play the Qualifier-1 is that a team would get two shots to the BPL final.

Shoriful Islam claimed his maiden five-wicket haul before captain Mahedi produced an all-round performance to script the side's comfortable victory.
Shoriful ended with an envious figure of 3.5-1-9-5, one of the most economical bowling efforts by a Bangladeshi bowler while Mahedi grabbed 3-12 to help the side bundle Noakhali Express out for just 126 in 18.5 overs.

Chattogram faced a hiccup in their chase but Mahedi played a 36 ball-49 not out to steer the side to the victory in 17 overs, as Chattogram reached 128-5.

Noakhali gave them a glimmer of hope, thanks to Ihsanullah who snapped up 2-23 to help the side reduce Chattogram to 29-4.

Mahedi showed a steely resolve to get the side back into the contest, firstly sharing a 40-run with Hasan Nawaz who made 11 before adding 59 runs with Asif Ali for the unbeaten sixth wicket stand. Asif Ali was unbeaten on 36.

Earlier, Hasan Eisakhill and Soumya Sarkar began on a confident mode after Noakhali were asked to bat first but the breakthrough came from Mahedi who removed Soumya for 23, ending 34 runs partnership in just 3.1 overs.

Shoriful got into the groove with the wicket of Eisakhil who made 20 ball-25 before Mahedi ripped through Noakhali middle order with two more wickets that included Hasan Ali (12) and Habibur Rahman Sohan (11).

Shoriful then appeared into the stage with sheer venom, cutting through Noakhali like up in surgical fashion.

He took the last four wickets in his 11 balls to complete his first five-wicket haul and wrapped up Noakhali before they were able to play full 20 overs. �"BSS