BPL - Barisal Burners vs Sylhet Royals: Sylhet brush aside Royals

Barisal proved too good for the Royals despite missing Chris Gayle who was not first for the match. A modest target was chased without much fuss as Royals had no answer to onslaught of Sylhet’s top order.

Bangladesh Premier League, 18th Match: At Chittagong, Feb 19, 2012

Sylhet Royals’ captain Alok Kapali won the toss and opted to bat first. The decision was right but Sylhet batsmen failed to respond on a flat surface. They collapsed to 58 for 6 against some tight Barisal bowling. Al-Amin Hossain clean-bowled Kamran Akmal, the danger man, to give his team a dream start.

Some late order resistance by Sohail Tanvir and Naeem Islam lifted the score to some respectability as Sylhet Royals ended at 120 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. Tanvir was the top=scorer with 33, while Suhrawadi Shuvo was the main wicket-taker for Barisal Burners with 3 for 20.

Chasing a modest target, Barisal openers adopted positive approach. Even the absence of Chris Gayle did not matter much as in-form little dynamite Ahmed Shehzad and veteran Brad Hodge played delightful strokes all around the ground. They shared 116 runs for the first wicket in just 12.1 overs to take the game away from Sylhet.
 
Shehzad got out after making an enterprising 60 off 40 balls with 3 fours and 5 sixes – his 3^rd fifty in the tournament. While skipper Hodge remained unbeaten on 54 (34 balls, 2 fours, 5 sixes). The target was chased in just 13.2 overs with 9 wickets remaining.

It was a thumping win for Barisal burners which helped them remain in the top tier in the tournament. Hodge was named man of the match due to his brilliant batting and economical bowling.

Summarised scores:


Barisal Burners 121/1 (Ahmed Shehzad 60, Brad Hodge 54*) beat Sylhet Royals 120/7 (Sohail Tanvir 33; Shuvo 3/20) by 9 wickets


Man of the Match: Brad hodge