|| CF Correspondent ||

The much anticipated Steven Smith-David Warner battle didn’t quite live up to the billings as both of them failed to shine in their first appearance in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

While Warner’s dismissal looked debatable, Smith couldn’t also get going in a sluggish Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium pitch on Sunday but his side Comilla Victorians held their nerve in the adrenaline-pumping moment to secure a four-wicket win in a low-scoring affair against Sylhet Sixers in the second-last delivery.

Warner was run out on 14, after a mix-up with Towhid Ridoy, who according to TV replay didn’t place his bat when Warner made it to the striker’s end after Towhid played one to the square-leg.

Warner’s dismissal sparked a collapse as Sylhet Sixers were restricted to 127 for eight in 20 overs. Comilla also faced similar situation and the match could have gone either way but their Pakistan recruit Shahid Afridi stayed cool to sweep for a boundary in the fourth ball of the last over to help the side get over the line.

Afridi’s 25 ball-39 not out which included five fours and two sixes was the difference at the end. Afridi also took one for 29 in bowling and was adjudged man of thematch.

“We've made it hard for ourselves, but Shahid finished the innings really well. I think 140 was about par, but they bowled well and fielded well,” Captain Smith said, underlining the importance of Afridi’s innings.

Opener Tamim Iqbal was another notable contributor with 34 ball-35 and it was no surprise given his experience to play in this surface regularly. He was actually considered to finish off the short chase but a run-out dismissal made him the sixth batsmen to be out as Comillar was 31 runs away to the victory.

Amid the wickets tumbling , Tamim held one end secured, bringing up all of his experience in this sluggish wicket. He firstly got a support from Steven Smith after Comilla were left 21 for two in fourth over.

Smith and Tami shared a small but effective 31-run before Smith cut pacer Al-Amin’s delivery to wicket-keeper Liton who straightaway reviewed the decision once umpire didn’t raise his finger. The review showed it touched Smith’s glove before going to wicket-keeper’s hand.

Sylhet’s Nepal-born leg-spinner Sandip Lamichane (2-16), on his first BPL match, made tight four overs and snared Shoaib Malik (13) and Anamul Haque Bijoy (5), to suddenly give the side a glimmer of hope to win it.

Afridi with his experience however helped the side overcome the nervy moment and sealed the deal.