No repeat of Tuesday's heroics as Barisal Bulls succumb to easy defeat against Comilla Victorians
Barisal Bulls were bowled out to a below par score for the second time in two days but unlike Tuesday, they were unable to defend their total as Comilla Victorians romped home to an eight-wicket victory. The hosts chased down the target of 90 with twelve balls to spare to notch up their second victory of the season.
The Bulls batting failed to rise to the occasion yet again as only three players ended up in double figures. The writing was on the cards for the visitors early on as skipper Mahmudullah’s decision to bat first backfired as Nuwan Kulasekara picked up the wickets of Shahriar Nafees and Brendan Taylor in the second over itself.
They never recovered from the early setback as Abu Hider and Ashar Zaidi continued the good work done by the Sri Lankan pacer to bundle out the Bulls for 89. West Indian all-rounder Kevon Cooper top scored with 22 with compatriot Sunil Narine, who had a relatively off-day compared to his fellow bowlers, closing off the innings picking up the wicket of Mohammad Sami, who had earlier clubbed the mystery spinner for a six, the only hit over the ropes in the Bulls’ innings.
Aware of the opposition strength, the Victorians started off cautiously trying not to gift wickets to Sami and Al-Amin Hossain, the Bulls’ hero from their victory over the Super Stars on Tuesday. Though the latter managed to dismiss Imrul Kayes cheaply, Mahmudul Hasan and Marlon Samuels ensured an easy victory for the visitors.
Cooper and the spin duo of Taijul Islam and Seekkuge Prasanna did their best to contain the batsmen but couldn't pick up the wickets that could have made the difference as the Bulls winning run came to an end. Nuwan Kulasekara picked up the Man of the Match award for his figures of 3-1-8-3.
Scorecard:
| Barisal Bulls batting | R | B | SR |
| Shahriar Nafees | 3 | 8 | 37.5 |
| Rony Taludkar | 17 | 22 | 77.27 |
| Brendan Taylor | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Mahmudullah | 9 | 13 | 69.23 |
| Sabbir Rahman | 10 | 13 | 76.92 |
| Nadif Chowdhury | 7 | 15 | 46.66 |
| Seekkuge Prasanna | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Kevon Kooper | 22 | 21 | 104.76 |
| Taijul Islam | 3 | 9 | 33.33 |
| Mohammad Sami | 6 | 3 | 200 |
| Al-Amin Hossain* | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Comilla Victorians bowling | O | R | W |
| Mashrafe Mortaza | 4 | 22 | 0 |
| Nuwan Kulasekara | 3 | 8 | 3 |
| Sunil Narine | 3.3 | 21 | 1 |
| Abu Hider | 4 | 21 | 2 |
| Ashar Zaidi | 4 | 16 | 3 |
| Comilla Victorians batting | R | B | SR |
| Imrul Kayes | 13 | 14 | 92.85 |
| Mahmudul Hasan | 31 | 43 | 72.09 |
| Marlon Samuels* | 23 | 38 | 60.52 |
| Shuvagata Hom* | 12 | 13 | 92.30 |
| Barisal Bulls bowling | O | R | W |
| Mohammad Sami | 2 | 11 | 0 |
| Al-Amin Hossain | 4 | 29 | 1 |
| Taijul Islam | 4 | 12 | 0 |
| S Prasanna | 4 | 16 | 0 |
| K Cooper | 3 | 7 | 1 |
| Sabbir Rahman | 1 | 4 | 0 |
Comilla Victorians won by eight wickets (12 balls remaining)