Saifuddin stars as Victorians manage nail-biting victory

Comilla Victorians defeated Dhaka Dynamites by one run in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city on Friday, reports UNB.

Victorians posted 127 in 20 overs but Dynamites failed to chase it down in spite of superb efforts from Keiron Pollard and Andre Russell. Mohammad Saifuddin bagged four wickets for 22.

Dynamites needed 38 runs in last 24 balls. Saifuddin bowled the 17th over and gave away just one run and scalped the wickets of Pollard and Nurul Hasan Shohan in two successive deliveries.

Russell hit Shahid Afridi for two big sixes in the next over to amass 17 runs. Wahab Riaz was not fortunate enough to take the wicket of Russell in 19th over when he overstepped and Russell skied a catch which was taken in the third-man area.

Riaz conceding eight runs and took the wicket of Shuvagata Hom in that over.

The current runners-up of BPL required 13 runs in the last over to win the game. But Saifuddin finished the over conceding 11 runs and scalping Rubel Hossain, and subsequently, helping his side win the game.

The victory placed Victorians in the second place of the points table. They have 14 points in 11 matches with seven victories. The defending champions of BPL Rangpur Riders also achieved as many points but they have a better run-rate to lead the points table.

On the other hand, five consecutive losses made Dynamites' chance to advance to the playoffs slimmer. Now, they must win the last game against Khulna Titans though the win itself will not ensure a place for them in playoffs.