Match 30, Sylhet, January 30, 2023, 06:00 PM
Sylhet Strikers
192/4(20.0ov)
Khulna Tigers
161/9(20.0ov)
Sylhet Strikers beat Khulna Tigers by 31 runs
That's all we have from this one-sided affair. The action in the 9th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League continues on Tuesday 31st January as we have yet another doubleheader and these will be the last two games to be played at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. In the first game, Dhaka Dominators take on Fortune Barishal at 1 pm IST (7.30 am GMT) followed by Dhaka Dominators hosting Khulna Tigers at 6 pm IST (12.30 pm GMT). Do join us in advance for the build-up of both games. Until then, it is goodbye and cheers!
Mushfiqur Rahim the vice-captain of Sylhet Strikers says that the boys have been very professional and says that Towhid Hridoy and Zakir Hasan batted well and Thisara Perera and Ryan Burl finished things off. Credits bowlers for bowling well on the pitch that was not easy for the bowlers. Talks about Mashrafe Mortaza’s injury and says that he hopes that he gets fit before the next game as they have a few days off. Tells that he is trying his best but the batters who are playing ahead of him are getting more time and he is happy about that. Hopes to do well in the playoffs and signs off by thanking the home crowd.
Towhid Hridoy is the Player of the Match for scoring 74 runs in 49 deliveries. He says that he was just trying to play his natural game and stay in his zone. Adds that his plans worked out and he was able to do well. Claims that he has is feeling a bit of pain and hopefully he can recover soon. When asked about the team's performance, he says so far so good as they have been doing really well and they have been playing good cricket across the various venues.
Yasir Ali the captain of Khulna Tigers says that they have a very good side and a balanced team but feels that their players and including himself are not clicking as a unit. Tells that it is sheer bad luck as no one does it purposely. Mentions that they need their batters to convert starts on good wickets like in Sylhet and adds that the reason for him batting lower down the order is that it gives his team more depth.
Time for the presentations...
The hosts set up this win with a dominating batting performance in the first inning with Towhid Hridoy and Zakir Hasan getting to their half-centuries and handy knocks from Thisara Perera and Ryan Burl pushed the score close to the 200-run mark. Mark Deyal claimed two wickets for Khulna Tigers but was far too expensive with Nahidul Islam and Nahid Rana chipping in with one wicket each. The bowlers of the visiting side however left too much for the batters to achieve and this was always going to be a tough chase.
Sylhet Strikers showed why they are the table toppers with yet another dominating display. They had a massive total to defend and Rubel Hossain made things easier for them as he claimed the wickets of both the openers in the same over. The game got better for him as he ended up with four wickets for 37 runs in his four overs with his third wicket taking his tournament tally to 100 wickets. Rejaur Rahman and Mohammad Amir took two wickets each and continued to show how important they have been to the success of this side. Imad Wasim chipped in with one wicket as well but what would worry them is the injury to their skipper who walked off the ground midway through his over.
Khulna Tigers came out with positive intent but lost Andy Balbirnie early and was joined by his opening partner Tamim Iqbal in the shed. Shai Hope did not allow the scoreboard pressure to build as he adopted a positive approach scoring 33 runs in 22 deliveries but ended up playing one shot too many. He added 54 runs with Mahmudul Hasan Joy who played the anchor role but could not bat long enough to make it count. Azam Khan looked to give some hope to the visitors as he scored 33 runs in just 17 balls but with his dismissal, their chances seemed to be quite slim. None of the batters could make an impact thereafter and they fell short by 31 runs.
This has been a thoroughly professional performance by Sylhet Strikers! They have been outstanding in all departments and have provided their home crowd an opportunity to cheer loudly for their side all through this game. They are well-placed at the top spot and they continue to show why they are favorites to win this competition as they qualify for the playoffs with this win. Khulna Tigers can see their chances of making it to the top four dwindling and they will know that their batting has not been up to the mark in this competition.
In over# 20
4b
0
1
1
4
0
Thisara Perera 22/0(1.5)
19.6
4b
FOUR BYES! Four byes to end the game! This is a good slower full delivery, around leg. Ahmed tries to power it away but misses. The ball goes off the bounce to Rahim behind the stumps but he fails to stop it and the ball runs away towards the fence. Sylhet Strikers win by 31 runs!
19.5
.
A slower low full toss and around off. Ahmed tries to slog it towards the leg side but misses.
19.4
1
Shortish and on middle. Rana tries to heave it towards the leg side but gets an outside edge to third man for a single.
19.3
1
A yorker on middle. Ahmed digs it out to long on for a single.
19.2
4
FOUR! Lucky boundary but Nasum Ahmed will not mind it! Back of a length, on off. Ahmed tries to pull it but gets an inside edge that goes past stumps towards the fine leg fence.
19.1
.
A slower back-of-a-length delivery on off. Ahmed swings across the line but misses it.
Thisara Perera has been given the ball with the game well in the control of the hosts.
In over# 19
1
1
0W
0
1
1
Mohammad Amir 28/2(4)
18.6
1
A slower full delivery on off. Ahmed manages to knock it to long on for a single.
18.5
1
On a length, on middle. Rana tries to work it towards the leg side but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolls towards the off side and a run is taken.
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