Young fast bowler Rejaur Rahman Raja registered his T20 career-best 4-14 as Sylhet Strikers romped to an eight-wicket win against Chattogram Challengers in the first match of the ninth edition of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) today (Jan 6) at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan recruit Mohammad Amir complemented Raja with an envious figure of 4-1-7-2 as Chattogram found them in wanting in overcast condition.

They were restricted to 89-9 before Sylhet reached the victory mark with 90-2 in 12.3 overs.

As it was expected Sylhet captain Mashrafe Bin chose to bowl first, sensing that fast bowlers will go with bang in the chilly condition and it proved to be right.

But Sylhet got the breakthrough not through a bowler as Chattogram opener Mehedi Maruf was trapped run out for 11. And by the time, Chattogram’s score was also 11.

Amir then claimed the wicket of another opener Darwish Rasooli (3) before Raja got into the act. Largely aided by the condition, Raja scythed down the middle order, preventing Chattogram from amassing a total to challenge Sylhet.

The highest score came from the willow of their most valuable player Afif Hossain who made 25. Al-Amin with 18 and Mehedi Maruf were the other two batters to reach double digit mark.

Captain Mashrafe (1-18) and Netherlands’ Colin Ackermann (1-22) took the rest of the two fallen wickets.

Coming to open the innings with Najmul Hossain Shanto, Ackermann was out for just 1 but Shanto and Zakir Hasan helped the side close in on a victory with 63-run partnership for the second wicket stand.

Zakir though was dismissed for 21 ball-27, Shanto sailed the side home with 41 ball-43 not out, hitting three fours and one six. Mushfiqur Rahim was on 6.

BDST: 1756 HRS, JAN 06, 2023
MSK