Ahmed Shehzad and Mahmudullha Riyad hit half-centuries as Fortune Barishal handed Sylhet Strikers its fifth straight defeat in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) after crushing them by 49 runs at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Shehzad hammered 66 off 41 with nine fours and two sixes while Mahmudullah Riyad gave the finishing touch in impeccable fashion, blasting 24 ball-51 not out with seven fours and two sixes to steer Barishal to 186-5.
Pacer Mohammad Imran then scalped 4-29 to help the side bowl out Sylhet for just 137 in 17.3 overs.
By virtue of this victory, Barishal grabbed its second victory in the tournament by ending three-match losing streak.
Barishal however made a horrendous start after electing to bat first as they lost opener and captain Tamim Iqbal (2) and Pritom Kumar (1) for single digit figure. That made them two down for 33 runs but Shehzad and Soumya Sarkar added 50-run for the third wicket to stabilize the inning.
Barishal lost Soumya who made 20 and Shehzad in quick succession, which put them in vulnerable position once again.
However Mushfiqur Rahim contributed 22 to further steady the ship before Mahmudullah launched a brutal attack to help the side post a respectable total. Mehidy Hasan Miraz played his part well with 15 not out off six balls.
Benny Howell claimed three wickets for 21 for Sylhet. Like the past four matches, Sylhet again failed to get a good start as Najmul Hossain Shanto continued his bad patch with the willow.
Shanto was out on 9 as Miraz gave Barishal a breakthrough. Opener Shamsur Rahman Shuvo hit 23 ball-25 and Zakir Hasan made team high 46 off 34 with four fours and two sixes. Benny Howell chipped-in-with 24.
Skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza who promoted him to No.4 position could make only 2. After the dismissal of Zakir, Sylhet lost wickets at regular intervals and finally stayed winless, which put them in position of making early exit from the playoffs race.
Miraz and Khaled Ahmed took two wickets apiece to complement Imran's four-wicket haul.
