Durber Rajshahi: Durber Rajshahi bolstered its hopes to make a place in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) playoffs after beating Sylhet Strikers by five wickets in a low scoring match at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today. The victory meant Rajshahi ended its group phase with 12 points from 12 matches, which for the time being put them in third place in the point table.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Chittagong Kings and Khulna Tigers are the only two contenders which can ruin their hopes but if Khulna loses just one match in their next two, Rajshahi will be confirmed for a place in playoffs. Rangpur Riders and Fortune Barishal, the two table toppers, earlier confirmed the last four berth.
Rajshahi’s victory looked all likely when they restricted Sylhet to paltry 117-9, thanks to SM Meherob (4-15) and Mrittunjoy Chowdhury (3-33) who shared seven wickets between them. Sylhet jolted Rajshahi, courtesy to Tanzim Hasan Sakib (2-17), leaving them at precarious 22-4 before Ryan Burl and Akbar Ali made the resistance. They shared 75 runs for the fifth wicket to edge the side closer to the victory.
Ahsan Bhatti broke through with the wicket of Akbar who made 43 but Burl confirmed the victory with consecutive four and six as Rajshahi reached 121-5 for a victory in the game. Burl was unbeaten on 48 after hitting five fours and two sixes in 34 balls.
Youngster SM Meherob’s career-best 4-15 with his offspin earlier restricted Sylhet to a meager total and paved Rajshahi’s way to a victory. Pace bowler Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, who scalped 4-18 against Rangpur Riders just 24 hours ago, followed the performance with 3-33 to further derail Sylhet after they were put into bat first. Mrittunjoy sliced the top-order, reducing Sylhet to 19-3. Meherob then got into act by ripping through middle order.
Ahsan Bhatti was the top-scorer for Sylhet with 25, while Zakir Hasan made 24. Sumon Khan was not out on 20, helping the side to propel past 100 which looked unlikely.