|| CF Correspondent ||

Local players’ performance kept Sylhet Sixers in the hunt of the last four spot after they comprehensively thrashed Khulna Titans by 55 runs in the BangladeshPremier League (BPL) on Saturday at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Even though no batsmen hit even a half-century, Sylhet compiled a hefty 195 for four, riding on an excellent team effort after which their bowlers showed similar excellence in bowling to wrap up Titans innings for 137 in 18.1 overs.

Opener Liton Das and Afif Hossain provided the early blitz, combining for a 71-run partnership in just 7.5 overs. Liton Das smashed a 22 ball-34, laced with three fours and two sixes while Afif’s 49 off 37 was the team’s highest individual score which was contained with five fours and two sixes.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam then sparked a collapse that saw Sylhet reeling to 106 for four from 71 for no loss.

Taijul who scalped three for 30 in his four overs, got the wicket of Liton Das, Afif Hossain and Jason Roy for 1. Sixers pinned hope of Roy to capitalize on the good start but he was outfoxed by Taijul before offering a catch at long-on.

Fast bowler Junaid Khan then troubled Sixers with the scalp of another big hitter Nicholas Pooran for 12. Sixers suddenly found them in a state of danger with little firepower down the order.

But emboldened by his return into the national fold, rather quite bizarrely, Sabbir Rahman propped up his game to the next level.

Much to his delight, he got the support from Mohammad Nawaz and they shared an undefeated 89 runs off just 39 balls for the fifth wicket stand to take the side in a position of dominance. They indeed plundered 52 runs in the last three overs to give the Sixers a much-needed scoring spike.

Sabbir smacked four fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 44 off 29 while Nawaz, the Pakistan all-rounder hammered 39 not out off just 21, clobbering three fours and two sixes.