BPL Returns to Dhaka as Sylhet Strikers' Struggles Continue

After touring Sylhet and Chattogram, the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has returned to its home ground in Mirpur, Dhaka. However, despite the tournament’s return to the capital, Sylhet Strikers couldn’t make a comeback, suffering an 8-wicket defeat to Fortune Barishal. With this loss, Sylhet’s elimination from the competition has been confirmed, marking their fifth consecutive defeat.

Captain Tamim Iqbal, who scored a fifty, was the hero for Fortune Barishal in the chase. With 14 points from 9 matches, Fortune Barishal is now firmly in the playoff race. On the other hand, Sylhet Strikers have only 4 points from 2 wins in 10 matches, and their hopes of making it to the playoffs now hinge on a miracle.

Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, Ariful Haque’s Sylhet Strikers faltered and were all out for just 116 runs. Only four batsmen reached double figures, with Pakistan’s Ahsan Bhatti, playing his debut match in the BPL, top-scoring with 28 runs. Wicketkeeper-batter Zaker Ali Anik contributed 24 runs from 19 balls. Captain Ariful Haque scored 12, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib added 13 runs from 8 balls to take the team’s total past the 100-run mark.

In response, Fortune Barishal had a shaky start, losing opener Tawhid Hridoy early. He was dismissed for 6 runs after playing 7 balls, caught off Nahidul Islam’s bowling in the third over. David Malan also struggled, getting out for 9 runs to Suman Khan just before the end of the powerplay.

However, captain Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim steadied the chase with a solid partnership, guiding the team to victory. Their 81-run partnership led Fortune Barishal to their fourth consecutive win. Tamim sealed the win with a boundary on the last ball, completing his fifty and ensuring the team’s easy win.