Sylhet Strikers brush aside Chattogram Challengers in BPL opener

The Bangladesh Premier League raised its curtains with the Sylhet Strikers cruising to a comfortable eight-wicket victory against Chattogram Challengers at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday.
 

In a low-scoring affair, Sylhet sailed past Chattogram's target of 89 on the back of a 43-run knock off 41 balls from opener Najmul Hossain Shanto and Zakir Hasan chipped in 27 (21) as they crossed the finish line 45 balls to spare.

After being put into bat, Chattogram were rattled facing the pace attack of Sylhet that scalped a total of seven wickets, with right-arm pacer Rejaur Rahman Raja picking up four for 14. 

Mohammad Amir scalped two and skipper Mashrafe Mortaza picked up one to restrict Chattogram to 89-9.

Chattogram's Afif Hossain top-scored with 25 runs off 23 balls while skipper Shuvagat Hom managed 18 off 20 as no other batter could manage to reach double figures.

In reply, Sylhet opener Colin Ackermann got dismissed in the third over but Shanto and Zakir blew brushed off any jitters stitching up a 63-run stand to bring their team to the brink of victory before the latter got trapped lbw to left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara bringing Mushfiqur Rahim to the crease. Mushfiq hit the winning runs to start Sylhet's campaign on a winning note.