Khaled bags 4 wkts: Sylhet in 2nd Qualifier of BPL Cricket
Sports Reporter :
Sylhet Titans reached the 2nd Qualifier of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Cricket after defeating Rangpur Riders by three wickets in a last-ball thrilling Eliminator phase at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital’s Mirpur on Tuesday.
By virtue of yesterday’s defeat, Rangpur Riders were eliminated from the title race.
Chasing Rangpur’s paltry total of 111 for the loss of nine wickets in the stipulated 20 overs, Sylhet reached the victory target in the last delivery of the 20th over making 112 for the loss of seven wickets.
At one stage Sylhet needed six runs in the last ball of Faheem Ashraf and Chris Woakes of Sylhet Titans snatched the victory hitting a sixer and confirmed their next round berth of the BPL Cricket.
Sylhet had a sorrow start as they lost their opener Tawfique Khan (2) who was dismissed by Mustafizur Rahman when Sylhet’s score was just two.
Opener Parvez Hossain and one-down Ariful Islam repaired the damage contributing together 36 runs for the second wicket partnership before Emon was caught behind by wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan Sohan off Aliss Al Islam when Sylhet’s total was 38 for the loss of two wickets.
Emon made 18 from 12 deliveries featuring three fours. Later, Sam Billings and Mehidy Hasan Miraz built a worthy partnership.
They scored together 50 runs in the five-wicket stand before Miraz was stumped out by Nurul Hasan Sohan off Khushdil Shah when Sylhet’s total was 94 for the loss of five wickets.
After Miraz’s departure, Sam Billings could stay at the crease for a short period as he was dismissed by Mustafizur Rahman when Sylhet’s score was 97 for the loss of six wickets.
Sam Billings hit a polished 29. His 40-ball innings had one sixer.
The match-winner Chris Woakes and Khaled Ahmed scored a valuable seven runs in the unbroken eighth wicket stand. Woakes remained unbeaten with 10 runs.
Aliss Al Islam and Mustafizur Rahman captured two wickets each instead of 18 and 20 runs respectively.
Earlier, pacer Khaled Ahmed of Sylhet Titans played the key role to restrict Rangpur Riders to a fragile total grabbing four wickets in the space of 14 runs in his four overs.
Khaled was adjudged the Player of the Match for his spectacular bowling display.
Rangpur Riders lost their early four wickets for 29 runs. Of them, opener Towhid Hridoy (4) and one-down Litton Das (1) were dismissed by Khaled Ahmed.
Third down Khushdil Shah and fourth down Mahmudullah Riyad made a remarkable partnership scoring together 34 runs in the fifth wicket stand before Khushdil Shah was dismissed by Nasum Ahmed when Rangpur’s score was 63 for the loss of five wickets.
Nasum Ahmed and Chris Woakes claimed two wickets each for 12 and 14 runs respectively. Besides, Salman Irshad got one wicket for 19 runs.
