DHAKA, Feb 9, 2022 (BSS) - Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy struck a

sublime 50 ball-65 as Comilla Victorians became the second team to
confirm the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) playoff after their
four-wicket victory against Sylhet Sunrisers at Sylhet Cricket Stadium
today.

  Frotune Barishal, the table topper so far, was the first team to
move into the playoff. By winning the game against Sylhet, who were
already eliminated from the race, Comilla retained their second spot
with 11 points from eight matches. Barishal had 13 points from nine
games.

  Sylhet's Colin Ingram fell short of his century for the consecutive
second day but his 89 runs was key in helping Sylhet to post a
respectable 169-5 after being sent to bat first. But Joy who clobbered
seven fours and two sixes for his 65 off 50 trumped his knock to guide
Comilla to win with 173-6 with a ball to spare.

  Ingram earlier yesterday struck a 90 against Barishal, a knock that
also came in a losing-cause.

  Comilla made a horrible start to the chase as they lost inform Liton
Das (7) and Faf du Plessis (2) in quick succession that left them to
tricky 22-2.

   But Joy looked brimming with confidence as he hit the bowlers all
corner of the park right from the start. He got an able support from
Moeen and together they put Comilla on top with 82-run partnership.

  After hitting 46 off 35, that included four fours and two sixes,
Moeen was undone by a slower of Sylhet captain Ravi Bopara. Joy kept
the side unscathed but captain Imrul Kayes was removed for 16. However
Alauddin Babu took the prized scalp of Joy and then took out Ariful
Haque for duck in the consecutive deliveries.

  After losing those three wickets in the space of 17 runs, Comilla
seemed to have lost the plot but a whirlwind batting of Sunil Narine
who blasted 12 ball-24 not out quelled all fear.

  Abu Hider Rony then struck a boundary to confirm Comilla's victory
with one ball remaining.

  Colin Ingram and Anamul Haque Bijoy earlier gave the side a terrific
start, sharing 105 run for the opening stand that raised a prospect of
amassing 200 plus on the board. But that was not to be as Ingram got
hardly any support after Bijoy was dismissed by Mustafizur Rahman for
46 off 33, studded by four fours and three sixes.

  The likes of Lendl Simmons, Ravi Bopara and Alauddin Babu failed to
hit big shot toward the end and so they were left satisfied with a
total that was not enough, specially when dew came into the play.

  Ingram was dismissed in the last over after hitting nine fours and
three sixes for his 63 ball-89.

  Mustafizur Rahman returned to form with 3-23 from his four overs
while Sunil Narine and Tanvir Islam took one wicket apiece.