|| CF Correspondent ||

Evin Lewis became the only second man after his compatriot Chris Gayle to hit more than one century in BPL history while Wahab Riaz claimed a hat-trick as the fourth bowler to script Comilla Victorians’ commanding 80-run win over a listless Khulna Titans on Monday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

The victory lifted Comilla to the top position with 12 points for the time being as they edged Chittagong Vikings by better run rate. Khulna as usually was languishing at the bottom table with four points.

Lewis smashed a 49 ball-109 not out, clattering five fours and 10 sixes, all of which came at some clean hit to steer Comilla to 237 for five, just two runs shy of BPL’s highest score in an innings. Two days ago at the same venue, Rangpur Riders posted 239.

Titans, already out of the race, huffed and puffed on their way to chase the gigantic total before a Wahab Riaz-hat-trick wrapped them up for 157 in 18.5 overs.

It was the second hat-trick in the ongoing tournament after Dhaka Dynamites’ Aliss Islam who later was ruled out with his injury and suspected bowling action.

Even with his groin injury endured in the first ball he faced, followed by a hamstring injury in the previous match, West Indian opener Lewis was in utter control—such control which once prompted Chris Gayle coming up with a statement—Evins Lewis is the next ‘universe boss’—a term that was reserved only for Gayle.

Lewis’ innings was well organised. He in fact needed not to run well for his runs as his timing was so spot on that he found the gap at regular intervals. He was particularly harsh on the fast bowler, just ruining the length but was tame against Mahmudullah Riyad—operating as lone spinner of the side even though they have an inform spinner in Taijul Islam.

Mahmudullah’s comparatively better success against Lewis raised a question as to why Taijul Islam wasn’t introduced throughout the match despite being listed in the playing squad.

Mahmudullah, the captain, rather kept faith on inexperienced pacers—Shoriful Islam and Mohammad Saddma, who eventually went for 53 and 59 runs after bowling their full four overs quota.