Sylhet Strikers' local players shone in front of their home crowd as the Sylhet phase of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) began on Monday.
Riding on home boys — Zakir Hasan’s (50) and Jaker Ali’s (20 off 5) batting, and half-century from Rony Talukdier and a quickfire 38 from Aaron Jones, Sylhet posted 205 for four.
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Former champions Rangpur Riders won the toss and chose to field.
Sylhet’s openers gave them a strong start, adding 47 runs in five overs before George Munsey fell for 18.
Rony Talukdar kept the momentum, smashing 54 off 32 balls with seven fours and three sixes. Zakir Hasan, batting at number three, contributed 50 off 38 deliveries, including four sixes.
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In the final five overs, Sylhet added 74 runs, with Aaron Jones and Jaker Ali finishing strong. They struck four sixes in the last over, bowled by Akif Javed.
For the Riders, Mohammad Saifuddin was the pick of the bowlers, claiming two wickets.