DHAKA, Jan 23, 2024 (BSS)-Pakistan recruit Babar Azam made an instant impact

in his first match in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), leading Rangpur
Riders to a four-wicket win over Sylhet Strikers at Sher-e-Bangla National
Cricket Stadium today.

Babar played an unbeaten 49 ball-56 to anchor the innings in astute fashion
as Rangpur recovered from 39-6 to overhaul Sylhet's paltry 120-8 in 18.2
overs.

He was ably supported by Afghanistan recruit Azmatullah Omarzai, who blasted
35 ball-47 with two fours and three sixes, the last one was winning six which
took Rangpur 125-6.

No other batters, apart from the duo, could reach double digits. But the duo
held the nerve and shared 86 runs for the undefeated seventh wicket to help
Rangpur secure its first victory and also gave Sylhet its second straight
defeat.

With small total, Sylhet fought neck to neck with Richard Ngarava dismissing
Rony Talukdar for 6 to begin Rangpur's rot.

After getting first-ball duck in the first match, West Indies recruit Brandon
King bagged five-ball duck this match to compound Rangpur's woe further.

They got further setback when Tanzim Hasan Sakib got rid of captain Nurul
Hasan Sohan (8) before Dushan Hemantha, who took 3-20 scythed down the middle
order to make Sylhet favourites to win the game but only to be denied by
Omarzai and Babar.

Earlier put into bat first, Sylhet had an abysmal start with apart from
opener Najmul Hossain Shanto, who made 14, all of their first four batters
departed with single digit figure, as they were slumped to 39-5.

Benny Howell and Ben Cutting saved them from ultimate blushes, combining for
68-run for the sixth wicket. Both of the batters made identical 37 runs.

Mahedi Hasan and Ripon Mondol grabbed two wickets apiece for Rangpur Riders.