Samuels scores half-century in vain
CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh (CMC): A MARLON Samuels half-century was not enough to save Comilla Victorians from their fifth straight defeat as they plunged to a nine-wicket loss to Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League here yesterday.
The stylish West Indies right-hander hammered an attractive 52 from 46 balls but Victorians could only muster 122 for five off their 20 overs at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
He struck three fours and two sixes and put on 64 for the third wicket with Pakistani Ahmed Shehzad also scored 52 from 45 balls with four fours and a six.
Rubel Hossain was the best bowler with two for 27.
In reply, Riders cruised to their target with three overs to spare, on the backs of opener Mohammad Shahzad’s unbeaten 51 and Mohammad Mithun’s 45 not out, in an unbroken 97-run, second wicket stand.
In-form Samuels has now scored 153 runs from four innings in the tournament.
In the first game at the venue, former Barbados and West Indies batsman Dwayne Smith stroked 34 to help set the tone for Chittagong Vikings’ 19-run victory over the Darren Sammy-led Rajshahi Kings.
MULTIPLE BOUNDARIES
Sent in, Vikings were propelled to a challenging 190 for five off 20 overs by Mohammad Nabi’s 87 not out from 37 deliveries, which included six fours and six sixes.
Anamul Haque struck 50 from 40 deliveries while Smith hit six fours and a six in a breezy 19-ball cameo at the top of the order.
Sammy, who went wicket-less from his three overs, then also failed with the bat as Kings came up short at 171 for nine off their 20 overs.
Sabbir Rahman top-scored with 46 from 30 deliveries while Sammy, batting at number six, belted two sixes in a sevenball 14 before falling in the 17th over.
The victory was just the second for Vikings and they lie third from bottom on four points while Kings have won just one in five and are one from bottom.