Dhaka – Nicholas Pooran hit unbeaten 76 off 31 with six fours and as many as sixes to propel his team Sylhet Sixers to 189 for five in 20 overs against Rajshahi Kings on Wednesday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
Both of the team came to this match in a must-win situation. They have no way without winnings this game in order of securing a place in the playoff of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
The Sixers won the toss and decided to bat first but they failed to have a decent start as they lost the first wicket just in 10 runs. Liton Das scored 10 off six balls with a four and a six. But he disappointed to continue this golden start to his innings. He fell to Arafat Sunny for lbw while sweeping him away.
Afif Hossain and Jason Roy added 30 runs to the board. But Mustafizur Rahman managed a breakthrough for the Kings trapping Roy for 13. The Englishman skied a catch to Johnson Charles to get dismissed. Right after that, Afif and Sabbir Hossain posted 46 in the third wicket partnership.
Afif was batting with great care. But he fell for 29 off 25 with two fours and sixes to his name. Sabbir was in the middle to keep the score going on. He struck four fours and two big sixes but fell while hitting Kamrul Islam Rabbi for a boundary. Sabbir finished at 45 for 39 deliveries. In the very next ball, Mohammad Nawaz suffered from a golden duck.
While the wickets were keeping to fall from the other side of the wicket, Pooran was firm to hit the boundaries and he helped the Sixers to post a competitive total of 189 to keep the hope of playoff alive.
Kamrul Islam took two wickets conceding 30 runs for the Kings while Arafat, Mehidy Hasan and Mustafizur bagged one wicket each.
