Player of the Match
Player of the Match

Rajshahi Kings, scrapping the bottom of the table leading into the game, revived their campaign and jumped to fifth with a seven wicket win over Sylhet Sixers in Mirpur. On what was a sluggish surface, thanks largely to the rain around, they found a new batting star in Zakir Hasan, who stroked an unbeaten half-century on BPL debut to convert a potentially tricky chase into a cruise. Mominul Haque set up the chase by making a sparkling 20-ball 25, while Mehidy Hasan starred with the ball, earlier in the day, to finish with figures of 4-0-12-1 in what was a disciplined bowling effort for large parts.

Daren Sammy: We would've taken anything under 150. The debutant Zakir just came back and batted brilliantly. They scored 60 odd in the last five overs. That's something we've to get better at. There's room for improvement, yes, we could've finished better in the first half. It's about taking responsibility. Like I said, it's good to see a debutant play fearless cricket. That's what I encourage the guys to do. Lot more games to play, we have to continue to improve in all departments.

Zakir Hasan wins the Player of the Match award on BPL debut

Mominul Haque: Wicket was tricky. It was turning, so we wanted to rotate strike and put the bad balls away. I don't think about me being called just a Test player. I want to improve with every innings.

Zakir Hasan was reprieved on 16 courtesy a no-ball, and boy has he responded superbly or what? The next two deliveries were belted for six, and those were the trigger he needed to launch himself into BPL 2017-18 in style. Rajshahi Kings have also elevated their net run rate in the process. On a sluggish wicket, he made batting look so easy that a potentially tricky target turned into a cruise.

So, after three wins in a row, Sylhet Sixers have now been brought back to earth with two successive losses. Quite a few things for the team management to ponder over.

17.3
4
Taijul Islam to Zakir Hasan, FOUR, yes, he will finish it off with a big mow that will also bring up a half-century. Nowhere near the pitch of the ball but he'd already decided this will be walloped towards deep midwicket. May have done enough to earn the Player of the Match award. Rajshahi Kings are back and how. Second win for them.
17.2
4
Taijul Islam to Zakir Hasan, FOUR, cheeky little stroke. Waits for the ball to spin back in and then lends direction to the one that spun back in. Beat short third man, who gave it chase but the ball kept going away from him. Delicate, but so so effective. Three short of what will be a stunning half-century. One to win. Will he got for it?
17.1
1
Taijul Islam to Mushfiqur Rahim, 1 run, dabs it gently for a quick single

END OF OVER:
17 | 8 Runs | RR: 141/3 (6 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 8.29, RRR: 2.00)

  • Mushfiqur Rahim24 (19b)
  • Zakir Hasan43 (24b)
  • Tim Bresnan3-0-24-0
  • Taijul Islam2-0-23-0
16.6
1
Bresnan to Mushfiqur Rahim, 1 run, steers this towards short third man as they jog the single
16.5
1
Bresnan to Zakir Hasan, 1 run, backs away and drills this full delivery to mid-off
16.4
2
Bresnan to Zakir Hasan, 2 runs, makes a bit of room and helps this away-going short delivery to deep point

Rajshahi Kings, scrapping the bottom of the table leading into the game, revived their campaign and jumped to fifth with a seven wicket win over Sylhet Sixers in Mirpur. On what was a sluggish surface, thanks largely to the rain around, they found a new batting star in Zakir Hasan, who stroked an unbeaten half-century on BPL debut to convert a potentially tricky chase into a cruise. Mominul Haque set up the chase by making a sparkling 20-ball 25, while Mehidy Hasan starred with the ball, earlier in the day, to finish with figures of 4-0-12-1 in what was a disciplined bowling effort for large parts. That Sylhet recovered from 92 for 5 in 17 overs to 146 for 6 was largely due to the late turbocharge between Sabbir and Bresnan.

Najmul Haider: "Zakir -- seems like a big hitter -- could be a good prospects for BD team suffering from lack of big hitter" He's also been street-smart along the way. Considering this is his first game, this has been a superb knock

16.3
1
Bresnan to Mushfiqur Rahim, 1 run, both feet in the air as he he upper cuts this short ball down to square third man
16.3
1w
Bresnan to Mushfiqur Rahim, 1 wide, slower bouncer but not so high to be called wide. Batsman let it go, have to say that is a harsh call
16.2
1
Bresnan to Zakir Hasan, 1 run, steers this down to third man as they jog the single. Rajshahi camp have a relaxed look
16.1
1
Bresnan to Mushfiqur Rahim, 1 run, punches this short of length delivery down to sweeper cover

Tim Bresnan is back into the attack. Rajshahi on their way to a second win that will lift them from seventh to fifth

END OF OVER:
16 | 10 Runs | RR: 133/3 (14 runs required from 24 balls, RR: 8.31, RRR: 3.50)

  • Mushfiqur Rahim21 (16b)
  • Zakir Hasan39 (21b)
  • Taijul Islam2-0-23-0
  • Abul Hasan2-0-17-1

Time for a second strategy break. Apologies, we've experienced a few glitches. Hope to be back running smoothly from now till the end.

15.6
1
Taijul Islam to Mushfiqur Rahim, 1 run, goes right back into the crease and turns this towards square leg

Kings 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st65Rony TalukdarMominul Haque
2nd1SR PatelMominul Haque
3rd31Mominul HaqueZakir Hasan
4th53Mushfiqur RahimZakir Hasan

Bangladesh Premier League

TeamMWLPTNRR
CV1293180.578
DHD1274151.631
KT1274150.075
RR126612-0.267
SYS12479-0.429
RR12488-1.098
CC12387-0.473
BB00000