Shoriful’s fifer helps dismiss Noakhali for 126

Shoriful Islam’s best-ever T20 bowling figures helped Chattogram Royals skittle Noakhali Express out for 126 as the Bashundhara Cement Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) finally resumed in Dhaka on Friday after much drama over the past couple of days.

The Royals elected to bowl first at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium and their decision paid off as Noakhali lost wickets at regular intervals in the face of some accurate bowling by Shoriful (5/9) and Mahedi Hasan (3/12).

Hassan Eisakhil (25) and Soumya Sarkar (14) provided Noakhali a blistering start, racing to 34 in three overs, but after their departures, the Express lost their way. Jaker Ali Anik and Sabbir Hossain chipped in with 23 and 22 respectively.

The port city outfit have already qualified for the play-offs while Noakhali are at the foot of the table and a defeat in this game will end the Express’ hopes of finishing in the top four.