Chattogram go top with another commanding win

Chattogram Royals continued their impressive run in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) with a convincing nine-wicket win over Sylhet Titans in their fourth match, climbing to the top of the points table at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Chattogram's bowlers once again laid the foundation for the massive win as captain Mahedi Hasan and Pakistan's Mirza Tahir Baig picked up two wickets each to restrict Sylhet to 126 for seven in 20 overs after the hosts chose to bat first.

Sylhet showed some fight through Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai, who scored 44 off 41 balls after arriving at the crease with the team struggling at 34 for five inside the powerplay. Rahatul Ferdous (17 not out) and Nasum Ahmed (13 not out) added late runs to take the total past 120.

In response, Chattogram openers Mohammad Naim and Adam Rossington produced another commanding partnership, putting on 115 runs off 82 balls to take the match out of Sylhet's reach. Naim was dismissed for 52 off 37 balls, while Rossington remained at the crease.

Rossington followed up his previous half-century against Dhaka Capitals with an unbeaten 73 off 53 balls, striking eight fours and two sixes, as Chattogram reached 130 for one in 16 overs.

The victory was Chattogram's third in four matches, pushing the side --who struggled before the tournament -- into strong contention through consistent performances.

For Sylhet, the loss was their third in five matches. Despite the setback, the hosts remain fourth on the points table with four points.