Match Details

FRB vs SYT, 23rd T20, BPL 2023 summary

FRB

171-8(20.0)

Sylhet Strikers won by 2 runs 🏆

SYT

(20.0)173-5

Match info

Summary

Scorecard

Commentary

A top of the table clash that was absolutely worth our time. The Sylhet Strikers have now made their way to the top while Fortune Barshial fall to second. It was nerve wrecking to the very last ball and we'll be hoping for more of such fixtures heading forward in the BPL.

So, thank you to one and all for tuning in. My fellow commentator Megh and I, Wali Parvez, will be back with more cricketing action. Until then, you do take good care of yourselves, Ciao!

Mashrafe Mortaza (Sylhet Strikers Captain): "Yes, it was tough. One of the best matches in the tournament so far. Amir is a champion bowler for us. Obviously, it was tough in the death overs. 70 percent of the time the batting side wins but again Amir bowled really well for us. Sakib and Rejaur are great assets for Bangladesh and they have been playing all the formats in the last 2-3 years."

Najmul Hossain Shanto (Player of the Match): "End of the day we got the win so I'm very happy. I assessed the wicket and didn't think that the three wickets have been lost and stuck to my plan. Initially we thought that anything beyond 140 and we will be able to put up a fight. But when Moores and I got along we thought to ourselves to go over 160."

Najmul Hossain Shanto is the player of the match.

Shakib Al Hasan (Fortune Barishal Captain): "If I look at their fielding at our fielding, there was clearly a difference. They were very good in the ground feeling and we were not. Yes, I was looking to bowl Wasim another over but the English batters usually struggle here with the off-spin here at Bangladesh. So, I thought of bringing myself and Miraz into the attack. But again there are no right or wrong decisions in cricket."

So that’s that from Match Number 23 of the BPL and it’s the Sylhet Strikers that have come out on top to secure a nail biting win by just two runs! It was Fortune Barishal that won the toss and opted to bowl first and they did start off in terrific manner as Mohammad Wasim Jr. picked up three quick wickets with the score being at 15 for the Strikers.

However, it was then a 61-run stand by Tom Moores and Najmul Hossain Shanto that revived the innings by a significant manner. Moores played a valuable knock of 40 (30) before getting stumped to Shakib al Hasan. Nevertheless, it was Najmul Hossain Shanto who went on his merry way and powered through his innings with a scintillating knock of an unbeaten 89 (66)*. Thisara Perera also complimented Shanto from the other end as he added 21 (16) and contributed to a 68-run partnership that eventually got the Strikers to 173-5 in 20 overs.

Mohammad Wasim was the pick of the bowlers for Barishal as he scalped three wickets for 34 runs from his four over spell.

The run chase began with Fortune Barishal getting off to a decent start. Both sets of openers, Saif Hasan and Ibrahim Zadran were dropped early into the second innings as they went on to score 42 runs without losing a wicket. However, two wickets in quick succession by Tanzim Hasan shifted the momentum back in favor of the Strikes.

Hasan scored 31 (19), while Anamul Haque walked back for 3 (8). Ibrahim Zadran and Shakib al Hasan got back into the thick of things to compile a 61 run partnership. Until, It was Rejaur Rahman Raja who broke the partnership by getting the better of both Zadran 42 (37) and Shakib 29 (18).

Karim Janat did display his muscle power and struck 21 (12) with three sixes to his name. Mohammad Amir bowled a terrific second spell as he bagged two wickets of Janat and the dangerous Mahmadullah 7 (4). 15 runs were needed of the final over and the pressure got to Iftikhar as he walked back for 17 (13) after getting caught.

Mohammad Wasim Jr. did cause some excitement out there in the middle as he struck the penultimate delivery for a six as seven runs were then needed of one ball. Wasim struck the final delivery for a boundary that eventually got the Strikers a narrow win by just two runs.

Although, Raja picked three wickets for 41 runs, it was Amir's quote of two for 24 from four overs that got the Strikers back into the game.

To sum it up, the game turned out to be an absolute slobber knocker and a true example of how a top of a table clash is supposed to be!

OVER 20

Fortune Barishal

171/8

Mohammad Wasim Jr

10(4)

Kamrul Islam Rabbi

1(1)

Rejaur Rahman Raja

3-41(4.0)

19.6 Raja to M Wasim

4 FOURR! But it doesn't matter. The Strikers have won this cliffhanger of a game. Drags his length back and angles away from the middle, Wasim shuffles and guides that past the short fine leg for a boundary. Raja held his nerves and he is being congratulated by his teammates. Strikers have won his encounter by just 2 runs here and they will remain at the top of the table.

19.5 Raja to M Wasim

6 SIXXX! It is not over yet. Fuller and in the slot, Wasim takes a little shuffle and swats that over long-on easily for a maximum. 7 required from the last ball. 6 for a Super Over. Can Wasim drag the matters to a Super Over?