Sixers' fireworks light up Sylhet

There was a lot of talk that the Sylhet phase of the sixth edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) would see some exciting cricket with big scores. While the first day on Tuesday had disappointed spectators, the match between Sylhet Sixers and Rangpur Riders provided a treat for the Sylhet crowd as the home side won by 27 runs at the Sylhet International Stadium yesterday.

After being bundled out for the franchise's lowest ever total (68 all out in 14.5 overs) in BPL history the day before against Comilla Victorians, Sylhet bounced back magnificently as they posted 187 for five– the current edition's highest total – thanks to furious innings from opener Liton Das and Sylhet skipper David Warner.

After being sent in to bat, Sylhet openers Liton and Sabbir Rahman gave a blistering start as they staged a 73-run opening stand before the latter was dismissed for a run-a-ball 20. Skipper David Warner and Liton then continued to entertain the crowd as they strung a 56-run second-wicket stand off just 36 balls. While Liton was unlucky to be run out after having scored 70 off just 43 balls, Warner remained unbeaten for his 61 runs. The left-handed Australian made a mockery of Rangpur's Chris Gayle as he struck the West Indian for a six and two boundaries in the 19th over while batting as a right-hander to bring up his fifty.   

However, it was a low scoring affair in the day's first game as Dhaka Dynamites failed to chase a low total of 136 for six posted by Rajshahi Kings. Rajshahi's left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny orchestrated the first downfall of Shakib Al Hasan's Dhaka as the 32-year old ended with figures of three wickets for eight runs in just four overs.