BPL: Akmal, Styris fail to take the Royals home
Khulna prevail by 2 runs in BPL thriller.
Sylhet Royals came close to their first win of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) but were found wanting at crucial stages again, losing to Khulna Royal Bengals by two runs in a thriller.
Chasing an imposing 172, Pakistan's Kamran Akmal got the Royals off to a great start with a swashbuckling 82 off just 41 deliveries. Akmal was involved in a 62-run opening partnership with Imrul Kayes but in so dominant a form was the wicket-keeper in that the Bangladeshi could only contribute nine. Akmal's innings was laced with 11 boundaries and four sixes as the Bengals bowlers were carted all over the park.
However, his departure triggered a collapse that saw Bengals come roaring back into the match and despite Scott Styris' 48, the Royals were left struggling against Andre Russel, Shakibal Hasan and Abdur Razzak, who all picked up two wickets apiece. With 10 needed off the last two balls bowled by Shakib, a six by Styris brought it down to four off one but the Kiwi could not take his team past the finish line.
Earlier, a 31-ball 55 by Dwayne Smith enabled the Bengals to finish on 171 for six. Sohail Tanvir took two for 25 for the Royals.
Elsewhere, in a low-scoring encounter, Duronto Rajshahi managed to defend a modest 126 for six, beating the Chittagong Kings by nine runs.
Fine bowling by Mohammad Sami (two for 16) and Saqlain Sajib, (three for 22) restricted the Kings to 117 for nine. Shamsur Rahman top-scored with 24.
Mushfiqur Rahim (24) had earlier helped the visitors post a modest total in the face of good bowling by Arafat Sunny (three for 13).
Published in The Express Tribune, February 19th, 2012.