DE Online Desk
Babar Azam’s half-century and Azmatullah Omarzai’s anchoring innings scripted an emphatic four-wicket win against Sylhet Strikers in the BPL match-7 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka on Tuesday.
Chasing a mediocre target, Sylhet found themselves in a spot of bother losing all the batsmen before crossing double digits.
Babar Azam was the lone worrier who stood firm and turned the match scenario when Ranpur where reeling at 39-6.
Babar and Omarzai formed an 86-run partnership to guide Rangpur to victory, chasing down 121 runs. Babar scored a determined 56 off 49 balls, including six boundaries, while Omarzai contributed a brisk 47 off 35 balls with two fours and three sixes.
Dushan Hemantha was the pick of the bowling attack as he returned three wickets conceding 20 runs in his four overs.
Earlier, Rangpur bowlers ripped through Sylhet’s batting line-up after opting to bowl first and restricted Sylhet to 120-8.
Spinner Mahedi Hasan drew the first blood by removing the opener Mohammad Mithun (5) and trump Yasir Ali Rabbi (9) in a space of a couple of overs.
Skipper Mashrafe Mortaza came in to bat early but unfortunately got run out for 6.
Last match hero Zakir Hasan was also dismissed by Mohammad Nabi, and Najmul Hossain Shanto fell to Hasan Murad eventually, Sylhet slumped to 39-5.
Benny Howell and Ben Cutting then added a crucial 68-run stand to rescue the team, each scored 37 runs before getting dismissed by Ripon Mondol.
