Sylhet Titans hold nerve to win low-scoring BPL thriller against Noakhali Express

Sylhet Titans hold nerve to win low-scoring BPL thriller against Noakhali

The second match of the day in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) delivered a thrilling low-scoring contest where Sylhet Titans held their nerve to edge past Noakhali Express by just 1-wicket off the final delivery at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday (December 27).

After winning the toss, Sylhet Titans sent Noakhali Express into bat, and the decision paid off instantly. Noakhali suffered a nightmare start as both openers, Maaz Sadaqat and Habibur Rahman Sohan were dismissed without scoring.  The collapse worsened when Haider Ali was dismissed for another duck. Captain Shykat Ali tried to steady the innings from one end, but the scoreboard pressure was relentless. At the end of six overs, Noakhali were struggling at 28 for 3.

Shykat found some support in Mahidul Islam Ankon, and the pair began the rebuilding process. Shykat eventually departed for 24 off 29 balls, while Ankon continued to anchor the innings.  Jaker was dismissed for a quick 29 off 17 balls in the final over, but Ankon finished strongly, smashing a six off the last ball to bring up a superb unbeaten 61 from 51 deliveries. Noakhali Express posted 143 for 7 in their 20 overs.

For Sylhet, Khaled Ahmed was the standout with four wickets, while Saim Ayub claimed two and Mohammad Amir picked up one.

Sylhet’s chase got off to a shaky start as opener Saim Ayub was dismissed for a duck in the very first over. Rony Talukdar provided hope with a couple of boundaries but fell for 9, leaving Sylhet at 17 for 2. Zakir Hasan also failed to convert his start, departing for 13, as Sylhet ended the powerplay on 39 for 3.

Parvez Hossain Emon and captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz then steadied the innings with a composed partnership. Emon played a brilliant knock, scoring 60 off 41 balls before being dismissed at a crucial stage with the score on 117.

After Emon’s dismissal, Sylhet struggled again. Afif Hossain fell cheaply, and in the 18th over, Mehedi Hasan Rana turned around the match with a sensational hat-trick, removing Miraz, Nasum Ahmed and Khaled Ahmed in three consecutive balls. Suddenly, Sylhet needed 19 runs from the final two overs.

Only 6 runs came from the 19th over and so 13 runs were required off the last six balls. Off the last delivery, Sylhet managed the single they needed and sealed a dramatic one-wicket victory.

For Noakhali Express, Mehedi Hasan Rana finished with four wickets, while Hasan Mahmud picked up two.