Rangpur Riders on Monday handed Sylhet Sixers a heart-breaking seven-run defeat in the 22nd match of AKS BPL 2017, powered by Shah Cement.
Winning the toss, Sylhet Sixers opted to field first at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS).
For the Rangpur side, Brendon McCullum and Chris Gayle hammered the Sylhet bowlers and made an opening stand of 80 in just 8.4 overs.
Gayle was dismissed after scoring 50 and McCullum scored 33. The middle-order batsmen provided more contribution as Rangpur managed to post 169 for 7 after 20 overs. Abul Hasan took 2 wickets for 24.
Chasing 170, Sylhet Sixers lost three early wickets for 25. Then skipper Nasir Hossain and Sabbir Rahman led the fightback for Sylhet with a partnership of 117.
Sabbir’s knock of 70 off 49 balls included 7 fours and 2 sixes. Sylhet needed 35 runs to win from last 4 overs. But some tight bowling from the Rangpur seamers made it tough for them as Rangpur managed to score 162 for 4 in 20 overs.
Nasir remained not out on 50. Shohag Gazi, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Rubel Hossain and Thisara Perera shared 1 wicket each.
Chris Gayle was named the man of the match.
