Mrittunjoy’s hat-trick puts Chattogram on top of BPL

Fast bowler Mrittunjoy Chowdhury became only the sixth bowler in Bangladesh Premier Legaue (BPL) history to slam hat-trick as Chattogram Challengers sank Sylhet Sunrisers by 16 runs at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Saturday.

Mrittunjoy ended with 3-33 from four overs and his three wickets broke the spine of Sylhet which were on course of a victory, overhauling Chattogram’s mammoth 202-5, the first 200 plus score in this season, BSS reports.

Mrittunjoy took the prized scalp of Anamul Haque Bijoy who kept the side’s hope alive and then followed it with the wicket of Mosaddek Hossain and Ravi Bopara. Sylhet eventually were restricted to 186-6 with Bijoy top-scoring 78 off 47, that included nine fours and three sixes.

This was Chattogram’s third victory in five matches, which put them on top of the BPL point table with six points.

After the dismissal of Lendl Simmons, who struck season’s first century just a day ago in a losing-cause, for 9, Bijoy and Colin Ingram kept the side rolling. They added 112-run for the second wicket stand to raise the prospect of a famous victory.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz who lost the captaincy to Naeem Islam in a surprise decision of Sylhet’s management broke through with the wicket of Ingram after he made 37 ball-50, clobbering five fours and two sixes.

Bijoy was the only hope after his dismissal but a crazy over of Mrittunjoy dashed their hopes. Nasum Ahmed was the other notable wicket-taker with 2-19 to contribute to team’s victory.

But the credit should go to Will Jacks who blasted a 19 ball-52 after bringing up his half-century off just 18 balls. His whirlwind batting indeed paved the platform of a big total for Chattogram.

After losing Kenner Lewis cheaply for 8, Jacks fluent batting rotated the scoreboard at rapid pace. Afif Hossain played a perfect foil to him, with 38 off 28, studded with one four and three sixes.

However, Taskin ended Jacks-storm after the hard-hitter clattered seven fours and three sixes in his knock.

Benny Howell then gave the finishing touch to propel the side past 200, with a brutal 21 ball-41, clobbering two fours and three sixes.

The defeat meant Sylhet Sunrisers now languished at the bottom of the table with just two points from four matches.