SYLHET, Jan 19, 2019 (BSS) – Defending champions Rangpur Riders recorded
their third victory in the 21st match of Bangladesh Premier League T20
beating Sylhet Sixers by four wickets in a high scoring match held on
Saturday at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Chasing a huge winning target of 195 runs set by Sylhet, Rangpur Riders
reached home for the loss of six wickets with three balls to spare.
Rangpur Riders started their chase badly as they lost their opener Chris
Gayle who backed to the pavilion without disturbing the scoreboard.
Alex Hales and Rilee Rossouw kept the scoreboard tricking contributing 62
runs for the second wicket stand to take the team to a comfortable position.
Alex fell to Alok Kapali after making 24-ball off 33 runs with the help of
two boundaries and equal number of over boundaries.
Rossouw continued its fine knock and again paired 67-run with AB de
Villers for the third wicket stand before he was the victim of pacer Taskin
Ahmed. Rossouw smashed 35-ball off 61 runs with the help of nine boundaries
and two over boundaries.
Sylhet fight back in the match as Taskin Ahmed removed AB de Villers who
added 21-ball off 24-runs hitting two boundaries and two over boundaries.
Nahidul Islam (19) and Mohammad Mithun (14) added useful contribution
while Farhad Reza (18 n.o) and Mashrafe Mortaza (5 n.o) applied the finishing
touch to remain unbeaten till the end of the innings.
Taskin Ahmed was the most successful bowler as he grabbed four Rangpur’s
wicket conceding 42 runs.
Rilee Rossouw of Rangpur was named the player of the match for his
impressive batting performance.
Earlier, opener Sabbir Rahman scored a breezy half century and helped
Sylhet Sixers to post a massive total of 194 for 4 from their allotted 20
overs after they were forced to bat first by Rangpur Riders.
Sabbir Rahman blazed with 51-ball off 85 runs hitting five boundaries and
six over boundaries and during the process he shard 51 runs along with David
Warner (19) and again 85-run with Nicholas Pooran after Sylhet lost their
opener Liton Das early.
Later, Nicholas played unbeaten hurricane knock of 27-ball off 47 runs and
steered Sylhet Sixers to set a massive target for Rangpur Riders. Nicholas
smashed four boundaries and three over boundaries.
Rangpur skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza was the most successful bowler as he
claimed two Sylhet’s wickets conceding 31 runs.
With this win, Rangpur Riders secured six points from seven matches while
Sylhet Sixers remained at their previous credit of four points playing the
same number of matches.
Monday’s matches: Comilla Victorians vs Rajshahi Kings 1.30 pm and Dhaka
Dynamites vs Chittagong Vikings (6.30 pm) at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket
Stadium at Mirpur.