Sylhet Strikers thrash Chattogram Challengers in BPL Cricket opener

Sports Reporter :
Sylhet Strikers thrashed Chattogram Challengers by eight wickets in the opening match of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Cricket at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Friday.
Chasing Chattogram’s paltry total of 89 for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted 20 overs, Sylhet sailed home making 90 for the loss of two wickets when they had 45 balls to spare.
Chattogram lost their wickets in regular intervals. The batters of Chattogram failed to make any notable partnership against the tight, controlled and superb bowling attack by Sylhet Strikers.
Right-arm promising pacer Rejaur Rahman Raja played the key role in wrecking Chattogram’s innings. He got a good support from Pakistani pacer Mohammad Amir and veteran pacer Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and South African right-arm spinner Colin Ackermann.
Raja captured four wickets in the space of 14 runs. He was adjudged the Man of the Match for his outstanding bowling performance.
Mohammad Amir bagged two wickets at the cost of seven runs.
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Colin Ackermann took one wicket each for 18 and 22 runs respectively.
Sylhet Strikers had a shaky start as opener Colin (1) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Usman Khan off Mrittunjoy Chowdhury when Sylhet’s score was just 12 runs.
After Colin’s dismissal, opener Najmul Hossain Shanto and one-down Zakir Hasan repaired the damage contributing together 63 runs for the second wicket partnership before Zakir Hasan was trapped leg before wicket by Malinda Pushpakumara when Sylhet’s total was 75 for the loss of two wickets.
After Zakir’s departure, Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim guided their team to reach the winning target.
Shanto remained unbeaten with 43 runs. He struck three fours and a sixer in his 41-ball innings.
Zakir Hasan made 27 from 21 balls featuring two fours and a sixer.
Mrittunjoy and Pushpakumara took one wicket each conceding 11 and 22 runs respectively.
Earlier, Afif Hossain, Al-Amin and Mehedi Maruf were the only batters of Chattogram who could reach double digit figures scoring 25, 18 and 11 runs respectively.
Afif hit three fours in his 23-ball knock.