Dhaka -Rajshahi Kings were outplayed by Sylhet Sixers on Friday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium by 76 runs.
Fazle Mahmud Rabbi’s first fifty of the sixth season of Bangladesh Premier League went in vain as the Pakistani-duo- Sohail Tanvir and Mohammad Nawaz- took wickets regularly to bundle Kings for 104/10 in 18.2 overs to register their third win of the season.
Sixers posted a challenging total of 180 for six in the first innings. Jason Roy, who was playing his first match in BPL, struck 42 off 28 to lead the batting line. While replying, the Kings lost eight wickets before posting 100.
After this defeat, the Kings’ chance to advance to the play-off went down.
They have played nine matches so far and won only four. In contrast, Sixers have played as many matches and won three of them.
The Kings won the toss and sent Sixers to bat first. The start of the innings was shaky for Sixers after losing the first two wickets with 28 on the board.
Sabbir Rahman, who was recently called back to the national team, fell for one while playing Arafat Sunny. Liton Das, the right-handed opener, struck 24 off 13 before falling prey to Mustafizur Rahman, skying a catch to Mehidy Hasan Miraz. In the third wicket stand, Roy and Afif Hossain added 62 runs. This stand was the key for the Sixers to post a challenging first innings total. While making 42 off 28 balls, Roy, who came in BPL as the replacement of David Warner, hit four fours and two sixes. Afif accompanied him with 28 off 29 balls hitting three fours and one six. Apart from them, Nicholas Pooran (19), Alok Kapali (16*) and Sohail Tanvir (23*) played important roles with the bat. Alok and Sohail added 41 in the last 16 balls. Mustafizur, the main bowler of the Kings, gave away 22 runs in the last over. Despite the expensive last over, Mustafizur was the most successful bowler for the Kings taking two scalps while Kamrul Islam, Arafat Sunny, Seekkuge Prasanna and Ryan ten Doeschate took one wicket each.
While the Kings will play their next game against Chittagong Vikings on January 26, the Sixers will take on Khulna Titans on the same day.UNB
