Sylhet: Alex Hales struck an unbeaten 113 as Rangpur Riders overhauled a 200-plus target with ease to register a crushing eight-wicket victory against Sylhet Strikers in the first match of the BPL Sylhet phase at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Sylhet Strikers seemed to be in a position of dominance when they compiled a hefty 205-4 after being asked to bat first with their local players performing strongly.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Hales, who clobbered 10 fours and seven sixes, led the side to an emphatic victory, helping Rangpur secure the win with an over to spare and handing Sylhet their second straight defeat. Hales fittingly concluded the game with two consecutive sixes as Rangpur reached 210-2, marking their fourth straight victory.
The match witnessed 31 sixes, the highest in BPL history, surpassing the 29 sixes hit by Chattogram Challengers and Cumilla Victorians last season and Fortune Barishal and Durbar Rajshahi this season. Sylhet hit 16 sixes while Rangpur hit 15.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who took all two wickets that fell, gave Sylhet an early breakthrough, dismissing Azizul Hakim for a duck, his third consecutive duck across competitions. However, that had little impact as Saif Hassan added a crucial 186-run partnership with Hales for the second wicket. Saif Hassan scored 80 off 49 balls with three fours and seven sixes before being dismissed by Tanzim in the 18th over. In the next over, Hales, alongside Iftikhar Ahmed, who remained not out on 8, guided the team to victory.
Earlier, riding on half-centuries from Rony Talukdar and Zakir Hasan, along with a late onslaught, the Sylhet Strikers reached a total exceeding 200. Rony laid the foundation for the big total with a 32-ball 54, including seven fours and three sixes, while Zakir Hasan hit four sixes in his 38-ball 50.
While the local duo set the pace with their rapid innings, Aaron Jones and Jaker Ali Anik delivered the finishing touches with even more aggressive batting. The USA recruit Jones smashed an unbeaten 38 off 19 balls with one four and four sixes, while Jaker remained not out on 20 after just five balls, hitting three sixes in his brief innings to propel the side past 205.
Mohammad Saifuddin was the top bowler for Rangpur, taking 2-31 in four overs.