Dhaka: Bangladesh one-day international captain Mashrafe Mortaza-led Comilla Victorians beat world fame all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan lead Rangpur Riders by 72 runs in the Qualify-1 match for final berth of the third Bangladesh Premier League at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka on Saturday.

An all round performance by Pakistani recruit Ashar Zaidi steered Comilla Victorians to the final of 3rd edition of BPL.

Chasing a winning target of 164 runs set by Comilla Victorians, Rangpur Riders found the chase very stiff losing wickets in regular intervals and finally dismissed at a paltry total of 91 in 17 overs.

Thanks to Zaidi for his all round performance as after a hurricane unbeaten 40 runs he also shine with ball picking up four wickets for 11 runs.  

Rangpur Riders were never in a position to fight back in the math after their early batting debacle as they lost wickets in regular intervals in the face of tight bowling attacks by the Victorians bowlers.  

Opener Lendl Simmons was the only notable scorer for Riders with 25 runs while Nabi (12) and Perera (11) were the other two batsmen who able to reach the double figure.

Apart from Zaidi's four wickets haul, Abu Haider also grabbed four wickets conceding 19 runs.

Zaidi was named the player of the match for his impressive allround performance in the match.

Earlier, a brilliant knock by opener Imrul Kayes and a blaze by Ashar Zaidi steered Comilla Victorians to set up a challenging total of 163 for 7 from their allotted 20 overs.

The two Comilla openers - Imrul Kayyes and Liton Das gave a perfect start to Comilla contributing 79 runs for the opening stand, after they were forced to bat first by Rangpur Riders captain Shakib Al Hasan.

Sqlain Sajib took the day's first wicket of Liton who added 28 runs off 37 balls with the help of one boundary before being stamped by wicket keeper Mithun.

His partner Kayes, who was seemed comfortable with bat on the crease, played an impressive knock of 67 runs off 48-balls laced with seven boundaries and two over boundaries before giving a return catch to Thisara Perera.

Later middle order batsman Ashar Zaidi played a breezy unbeaten knock of 40-run off 15-ball that helped Comilla to post a challenging total in front of Rangpur Riders. The Pakistani recruit cracked four fours and two sixes.  

Thisara Perera was the pick of Rangpur Ridders bowlers taking five wickets conceding 26 runs.

Brief score:

Comilla Victorians- 163 for 7 in 20 overs, Kayes 67, Zaidi 40 n.o, Liton 28, Perera 5/26.

Rangpur Riders- 91 in 17 overs, Simmons 25, Nabi 12, Zaidi 4/11, Haider 4/19