Sports Reporter :
Sylhet Sixers recorded a thrilling four-wicket victory over Comilla Victorians in their match of the AKS Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Twenty20 Cricket at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet on Sunday.
Chasing Comilla Victorians’ fighting total of 145 for the loss of six wickets in the stipulated 20 overs, Sylhet Sixers reached the winning target making 148 for the loss of six wickets when they had just one ball to spare.
Sylhet made a solid start as Upul Tharanga and Andre Fletcher the two openers contributed 73 runs before Fletcher was caught by Rashid Khan of Dwayne Bravo.
Tharanga hit a marvelous 51. His 40-ball innings was laced with five fours and two sixes. He was run out by substitute Raqibul Hasan when Sylhet’s score was 102 for the loss of three wickets.
Fletcher made a polished 36 from 29 balls featuring five fours and two sixes.
After dismissal of Tharanga, Nasir Hossain (18), Whiteley (10) and Nurul Hasan helped their side to earn the sensational victory.
Tharanga was adjudged the Man of the Match.
Bravo got two wickets at the cost of 34 runs, while Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi took one wicket each for 18 and 22 runs respectively.
Earlier, Comilla Victorians had a modest start as the two openers Liton Das and Imrul Kayes added together 36 runs in the opening stand before Kayes (12) was bowled out by Nasir Hossain.
Then Liton (21) was stumped out by wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan off Taijul Islam when Comilla’s score was 40 for the loss of two wickets.
Second-down Jos Buttler (2) was caught at the long-off by Liam Plunkett off Taijul Islam when Comilla’s total was 44 for the loss of three wickets.
After Buttler’s dismissal, Marlon Samuels and Alok Kapali built a worthy partnership. They put on together 42 runs for the fourth wicket stand before Kapali (26) was caught at the deep midwicket by Sabbir Rahman off Krishmar Santokie when the team’s score was 86 for the loss of four wickets.
Marlon Samuels top-scored with 60. His 47-ball superb innings was studded with three sixes and two fours. It was Marlon’s 28th T20 half century.
After dismissal of Samuels, batsmen of Comilla failed to make any notable partnership.
Taijul Islam and Krishmar Santokie of Sylhet Sixers bagged a couple of wickets each at the cost of 22 and 30 runs respectively.
Besides, Nasir Hossain and Liam Plunkett took one wicket each for 18 and 31 runs respectively.
