ZCZC
BSP-23
CRICKET-CW-SYLHET-DEFEAT
Sylhet bows out of BBPL with crushing defeat
DHAKA, Jan 7, 2020 (BSS)- Sylhet Thunder bowed out from the Bangabandhu
Bangladesh Premier League (BBPL) in frustrating fashion as Cumilla Warriors
consigned them to a five-wicket defeat at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket
Stadium here today.
This was their 11th defeat in 12 matches and also seventh consecutive
defeat, following their lone victory against Khulna Tigers by 80 runs in
their fifth match.
The victory, led by captain Dawid Malan, kept Cumilla’s aspiration to seal
play-off spot alive as they clinched fifth win in 10th match and maintained
fifth position.
Sylhet’s defeat in last match was almost ensured when they were restricted
to 141-5 after being sent to bat first. With such paltry total, it was almost
impossible to resist Cumilla, bolstered by the return of Dawid Malan, who
missed the last two games of the teams due to family emergency.
Sylhet still raised a prospect of unlikely victory, reducing Cumilla to
32-3 but Malan played a superb 49 ball-58 as Cumilla sealed the deal with
142-5 in 19.1 overs.
Soumya Sarkar played a perfect foil to his captain, striking an unbeaten
53 off 30, with six fours and two sixes. It was his second half-century in
the tournament and overall third in BPL tournament.
Soumya ensured the victory with a boundary of long-off region off Johnson
Charles bowling.
Malan and Soumya indeed steadied the ship after a shaky start as they
combined for a 72 off 48 for the fourth wicket stand to edge the side closer
to the victory.
Ebadot Hossain who conceded just three runs in his first two overs to
suffocate Cumilla batsmen returned in second spell to dismiss Malan who
struck two fours and as many sixes in his 58.
With the side reeling to a catastrophic situation, Malan and Soumya had a
slow start but Malan broke the shackle as the time progressed to motivate
Soumya also to come up with his ruthless best.
Sylhet sensed a chance after the departure of Malan and then dismissing
David Wiese (13) but Soumya ensured there wouldn’t be more drama in quest of
keeping their play-off race alive.
Nayeem Hasan was the most successful bowler for Sylhet with 3-21 in four
overs, through which he reduced Cumilla to 32-3. Ebadot finished with 1-26
after completing his bowling quota.
Sylhet made a slow start with captain Andre Fletcher particularly failing
to get it tough to score runs. His fellow opener Abdul Mazid batted till the
last over and scored the team’s highest 45 off 40 with two fours and one six.
Fletcher was out on 22 after which Johnson Charles’ showed an intention to
pace the innings.
Charles made 15 ball-26, including one four and two sixes.
Charles’ dismissal further stifled the innings with Cumilla bowlers coming
up with some disciplined bowling.
Sri Lankan recruit Jeevan Mendis took some big hit towards the end to
blast 11 ball-23 with two fours and one six as Sylhet could propel the score
past 140.
Al-Amin Hossain and David Wiese scalped two wickets apiece for Cumilla.
BSS/SMP/ARS/1810 hrs