Sports Reporter :
Sylhet Sixers registered a massive nine-wicket victory over Dhaka Dynamites in the opening match of the AKS Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Twenty20 Cricket at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet on Saturday.
Chasing Dhaka Dynamites modest total of 136 for the loss of seven wickets in the stipulated 20 overs, Sylhet Sixers romped home making 137 for the loss of one wicket when they had 19 balls to spare.
Sylhet Sixers made a formidable start as Upul Tharanga and Andre Fletcher, the two openers of Sylhet put on together 125 runs before Fletcher was caught at the midwicket by Evin Lewis off Adil Rashid.
Upul Tharanga remained unbeaten with 69. His 48-ball windy innings was studded with five fours and two sixers. It was Tharanga’s 13th T20 half century.
Fletcher cracked a sparkle 63. His 51-ball knock was decorated with five fours and three sixres. It was Fletcher’s 21st T20 half century.
After departure of Fletcher, Upul Tharanga and Sabbir Rahman brought their team to reach the winning spot.
Upul Tharanga was adjudged the Man of the Match.
Adil Rashid of Dhaka Dynamites got one wicket conceding 31 runs.
Earlier, Dhaka Dynamites had a poor start as opener Mehedi Maruf (0) was caught at the deep square leg by RA Whiteley off Nasir Hossain when Dhaka’s score was only 2.
Then Evin Lewis and Kumar Sangakkara repaired the damage contributing together 54 runs for the second wicket partnership before Evin Lewis was caught at the long-off by Abul Hasan off Nasir Hossain when Dhaka’s total was 56 for the loss of two wickets.
Lewis made 26 from 24 balls featuring three fours and a sixer.
After dismissal of Lewis, Sangakkara could stay at the crease for a short period as he was caught at the mid-off by Abul Hasan off LE Plunkett when Dhaka’s score was 66 for the loss of three wickets.
Sangakkara top-scored with 32. His 28-ball innings was studded with three fours and a sixer.
Later, rest of the batsmen of Dhaka Dynamites failed to make any notable partnership.
Skipper Shakib Al Hasan hit 23 off 21 balls, while Cameron Delport remained unbeaten with 20. Cameron hit one sixer in his 13-ball innings.
Plunkett, Nasir Hossain and Abul Hasan of Sylhet Sixers bagged a pair of wickets each at the cost of 20, 21 and 24 runs respectively.
