Rajshahi Kings, scrapping the bottom of the table leading into the game, revived their campaign and jumped to fifth with a seven wicket win over Sylhet Sixers in Mirpur. On what was a sluggish surface, thanks largely to the rain around, they found a new batting star in Zakir Hasan, who stroked an unbeaten half-century on BPL debut to convert a potentially tricky chase into a cruise. Mominul Haque set up the chase by making a sparkling 20-ball 25, while Mehidy Hasan starred with the ball, earlier in the day, to finish with figures of 4-0-12-1 in what was a disciplined bowling effort for large parts.
Daren Sammy: We would've taken anything under 150. The debutant Zakir just came back and batted brilliantly. They scored 60 odd in the last five overs. That's something we've to get better at. There's room for improvement, yes, we could've finished better in the first half. It's about taking responsibility. Like I said, it's good to see a debutant play fearless cricket. That's what I encourage the guys to do. Lot more games to play, we have to continue to improve in all departments.
Zakir Hasan wins the Player of the Match award on BPL debut
Mominul Haque: Wicket was tricky. It was turning, so we wanted to rotate strike and put the bad balls away. I don't think about me being called just a Test player. I want to improve with every innings.
Zakir Hasan was reprieved on 16 courtesy a no-ball, and boy has he responded superbly or what? The next two deliveries were belted for six, and those were the trigger he needed to launch himself into BPL 2017-18 in style. Rajshahi Kings have also elevated their net run rate in the process. On a sluggish wicket, he made batting look so easy that a potentially tricky target turned into a cruise.
So, after three wins in a row, Sylhet Sixers have now been brought back to earth with two successive losses. Quite a few things for the team management to ponder over.
END OF OVER:17 | 8 Runs | RR: 141/3 (6 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 8.29, RRR: 2.00)
- Mushfiqur Rahim24 (19b)
- Zakir Hasan43 (24b)
- Tim Bresnan3-0-24-0
- Taijul Islam2-0-23-0
Rajshahi Kings, scrapping the bottom of the table leading into the game, revived their campaign and jumped to fifth with a seven wicket win over Sylhet Sixers in Mirpur. On what was a sluggish surface, thanks largely to the rain around, they found a new batting star in Zakir Hasan, who stroked an unbeaten half-century on BPL debut to convert a potentially tricky chase into a cruise. Mominul Haque set up the chase by making a sparkling 20-ball 25, while Mehidy Hasan starred with the ball, earlier in the day, to finish with figures of 4-0-12-1 in what was a disciplined bowling effort for large parts. That Sylhet recovered from 92 for 5 in 17 overs to 146 for 6 was largely due to the late turbocharge between Sabbir and Bresnan.
Najmul Haider: "Zakir -- seems like a big hitter -- could be a good prospects for BD team suffering from lack of big hitter" He's also been street-smart along the way. Considering this is his first game, this has been a superb knock
Tim Bresnan is back into the attack. Rajshahi on their way to a second win that will lift them from seventh to fifth
END OF OVER:16 | 10 Runs | RR: 133/3 (14 runs required from 24 balls, RR: 8.31, RRR: 3.50)
- Mushfiqur Rahim21 (16b)
- Zakir Hasan39 (21b)
- Taijul Islam2-0-23-0
- Abul Hasan2-0-17-1
Time for a second strategy break. Apologies, we've experienced a few glitches. Hope to be back running smoothly from now till the end.