After opting to bat first, Rangpur stumbled early, losing Alex Hales, Steven Taylor, and Saif Hassan for just 28 runs. However, Pakistani all-rounders Iftikhar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah steadied the innings with a crucial 41-run partnership.

Khushdil contributed 21 runs off 16 balls, hitting two boundaries and a six, while Iftikhar anchored the innings with 47 runs off 42 balls, including four fours and a six.

In the death overs, skipper Nurul Hasan Sohan and Sheikh Mahedi Hasan provided a late surge. Nurul smashed 41 off 24 balls with four boundaries and two sixes, while Mahedi added a quickfire 16 off 8 balls.

Chasing 156, Sylhet Strikers managed only 121 for 9 in their 20 overs. Opener Rony Talukdar top-scored with 41 off 36 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six. Zakir Hasan chipped in with 18 runs off 12 balls, while Zakir Ali struggled to accelerate, scoring 24 off 33 balls.

For Rangpur, pacer Nahid Rana was the standout performer, claiming 4 wickets for 27 runs in his 4 overs. Left-arm spinner Khushdil Shah was economical, taking 2 wickets for just 10 runs in his quota of 4 overs. Mohammad Saifuddin also impressed, finishing with figures of 2 for 18.

Rangpur’s clinical performance with the ball ensured they maintained their winning momentum, despite a below-par total.