Sylhet Strikers see both extremes
winning a game against Fortune Barishal despite losing three wickets in the second over, but then losing their first home game. It was a week in Sylhet to forget (or remember). Mohammad Wasim’s three-wicket over should have seen Sylhet slide down the points table but Najmul Hossain Shanto and Rezaur Rahman Raja ensured they won by two runs. But three days later, they were dismissed for 18 for 7 in their first game at home against Rangpur Riders. Mashrafe Mortaza and Tanzim Hasan Saqib rescued them but 92 for 9 were never going to threaten Rangpur. Barishal’s win over Chattogram Challengers on Friday evening has propelled them to the top of the points table above Sylhet.
Bowlers rule the week, feat. Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim
The week began with Haris Rauf’s fastest recorded delivery of the tournament, a 154 kmph thunderbolt over Darvesh Rasouli’s chest against Chattogram. The batsman dropped it to give a simple catch and Rauf took three wickets in the game. The next day, Wasim took his three wickets before Nahidul Islam and Taskin Ahmed took their bowling in the clash between Dhaka Dominators and Khulna Tigers. Both took four wickets each, but Taskin won the game for Dhaka. Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai and left-arm spinner Nihaduzzaman also used their bowling moments to complete a good week for the bowlers in the BPL.
Batsman of the week: Najmul Hossain Shanto
Shanto is now in the top three run scorer In this season’s BPL. He has given Sylhet top-order strength, while also adept at anchoring in T20s. Shanto has a wide range of shots but like Liton Das he needs to know when to use those shots. So far this season, he has looked like a batsman who understands his game a little better than he did 12 months ago.
Bowler of the week: Taskin Ahmed
With his on-field performances, Taskin is creating a gap between himself and the rest of the pace pack in terms of impact. He was not playing for the best team in the competition, but ensured that Dhaka won a memorable low-scoring thriller with at least four of his wickets. Bowling short, full or length, Taskin’s drive to become a better bowler is always evident in his energy on the field.
