After losing four consecutive games, Sylhet Thunder finally registered a victory in the ongoing Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) beating Khulna Tigers by 80 runs at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Saturday.
Khulna Tigers won three consecutive games before enduring this defeat. Replying to Thunder’s 232 for five in 20 overs, Khulna Tumbled for 152 all-out in 18.3 overs.
Khulna needed to make a solid foundation to offer a challenging reply. But they lost Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the first ball of the innings. Right-arm pacer Monir Hossain removed Rahmanullah early. Khulna were never able to recover from that initial blow though Saif Hassan and Rilee Rossouw added 75 runs in the second wicket stand.
BPL debutant Saif scored 20 off 20 balls with two fours while Rossouw smashed 52 off 32 balls with four fours and as many as sixes.
Khulna fans were hoping Mushfiqur Rahim to come with a big innings to make their winning-streak longer. But the wicketkeeper-batsman could not do it this time around. The right-handed batsman fell prey to Ebadot Hossain after posting only 12 off eight balls with two fours.
Veteran Robbie Frylinck posted 44 off 20 balls with six fours and two sixes, but his effort proved to be inadequate to save the game for Khulna. Mushfiqur-led Khulna ended on 152 all-out in 18.3 overs.
Krishmar Santokie bagged three wickets conceding 37 runs in four overs while Monir and Ebadot bagged two wickets each.
Earlier, riding on the maiden century of this BPL by Andre Fletcher and 90 by his compatriot Johnson Charles, Thunder posted a big total of 232 for five in 20 overs, which is now the second-highest total of this season of BPL.
Khulna won the toss and sent the Thunder bat first. They lost Abdul Mazid in the first over of the game. But in the second wicket partnership, Fletcher and Charles put up a 115-run stand.
Fletcher remained unbeaten hitting 103 off 57 deliveries with 10 fours and five sixes while Charles hit 90 off 38 with 11 fours and five sixes. Their fiery batting display helped Thunder post their highest team total of this season.
Robbie Frylinck bagged two wickets conceding 37 runs in four overs while Shafiul Islam, Shahidul Islam and Robiul Haque took one wicket each.
Khulna Tigers will take on Rajshahi Royals on December 23 while Sylhet Thunder will lock horns with Dhaka Platoon on December 24. Both the matches will take place at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
