DHAKA, Feb 01, 2019 (BSS) – Sylhet Sixers recorded their consolation victory as they beat Chittagong Vikings by 29 runs in the 40th match of the tournament held on Friday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur here.
Chasing a winning target of 165 runs set by Sylhet, Chittagong found the chase stiff and eventually dismissed at 136 in 18.3 overs.
Chittagong started their chase badly as they lost both their openers at three runs in the score board.
Yasir Ali and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim however rebuild the Chittagong’s innings contributing 42 runs for the third wicket stand before Alok Kapali broke the partnership removing Yasir for 27 runs.
The Pakistani recruit Yasir smashed two boundaries and one over boundary during his 27-ballstay on the crease.
Mushfiqur Rahim continued his positive approach with bat as he again paired another 35 runs for the fourth wicket stand with Mosaddek Hossain but Ebadat Hossain again struck on Chittagong’s innings removing Mosaddek who made a quick fire 15-ball off 25 runs hitting two boundaries and two over boundaries.
Mushfiqur carried Chittagong’s hope but his fluent knock was cut short when he was run out by Jaker Ali, who effectively killed the game in the 16th over. The Vikings captain played a responsible 32-ball off 48 runs hitting three boundaries and three over boundaries.
Chittagong could not fight back in the match after losing the wicket of Mushfiqur as Sylhet’s bowlers picked up wickets in regular intervals.
Ebadat Hossain, the wrecker in chief, caused the major damage as he grabbed four Chittagong’s wickets conceding 17 runs while Wayne Parnell picked up two wickets for 22 runs. With this win, Sylhet Sixers secured 10 points from 12 matches while Chittagong Vikings placed at third position with 14 points from the same number of outings.
Earlier, opener Andre Fletcher scored a brilliant half century helped Sylhet Sixers to post a competitive total of 165 for 5 from their allotted 20 overs after they were forced to bat first by Chittagong Vikings.
Sylhet suffered early batting jolt as they lost two quick wickets 37 runs in the scoreboard.
Fletcher and Sabbir Rahman then steadied the innings contributing 65 runs for the third wicket stand to take the team to a comfortable position.
The Caribbean recruit Fletcher scored 53-ball off 66 runs hitting six boundaries and two over boundaries and during the process he shared two important partnerships first 65-run with Sabbir Rahman (32)and then 51-run with Mohammad Nawaz (34) to take the team to a commanding position.
South African recruit medium pacer Hardus Viljoen was the pick of Chittagong’s bowler as he claimed four Sylhet’s wickets giving away 29 runs in his quota four overs.