2024-02-20 21:04:52
That Sylhet Strikers weren’t all that bad as a team showed in their match against Comilla Victorians on Monday. On this day, batting, bowling and fielding were evenly matched in Sylhet and defeated Comilla who were hoping for the title.
They were bowled out for just 72 runs in their first appearance against BPL’s most successful team, Comilla. Today in Chittagong, Sylhet came to bat first and got capital of 177 runs. Chasing that run, Liton, Tawheed, Andre Russell, Moeen Ali could not match the equation of 12 runs. Benny Howell alone made the difference in batting. At the end of the innings, he scored 62 runs from 31 balls at a strike rate of 200. Markut batsman hit 4 sixes with 6 fours. Later he took the wicket of Moeen Ali.
Comilla responded well to Sylhet’s capital with Liton’s bat. But Sylhet’s brilliant bowling changed the script of the match in these four overs from 16 to 19. Where Howell bowled 2 overs. Left-handed pacer Shafiqul bowled 2 overs. Taking 2 wickets for just 36 runs in 4 overs took the match beyond Comilla’s reach. Comilla could not win the match even though they had aggressive batsman Russell and Liton who was on the way to a century.
Sylhet did not win in the first 5 matches. 4 wins in next 6 matches. In total 4 wins in 11 matches. In the beginning, at least three matches slipped out of their grasp. They had to change the combination again and again as they did not win. Even though certain players failed, they did not get opportunities again and again. But in the end they got right back into the rhythm. Which is telling, last time’s runners-up could have done well this time too. Team coach Razin Saleh said these things after defeating Comilla.
“Winning is actually a matter of happiness. You see we have played against a big team and before that we played against Comilla. We were supposed to win but we didn’t win. We had a big match today. As their team was very strong. I like it very much. Because many of our cricketers have played well. For example, the performance of the young boy Shafiqul is undoubtedly good. If you look at our Benny Howell’s batting, it’s amazing.’
‘Our bad patch actually started a long time ago. We’re not really talking about good times right now. In fact, I won the last three matches. How to improve Sylhet Strikers now thinking that way. We have no chance to go to Super Four. Fighting for as many matches as possible if our team can be lifted up.’
Young pacer Shafiqul impressed everyone. The batsmen were not allowed to take runs in the power play and slog overs. Moeen Ali did not allow any runs to take 4 balls after sending back Charles at the last critical moment. Which increased the pressure in the next overs. Rajin praised the left-handed pacer.
We had a plan with him from match number 4. But there the king was doing well. Shakib national team player is doing well for last 2 years. So getting Shafiqul’s opportunity is a bit late. He has now got a chance and is doing well now.’
The coach is happy with the way Sylhet is on the way to completing their mission in the BPL, ‘I think it is a big achievement for us. When momentum is lost it is very difficult to regain it. Even after we lost five matches, we managed to pick up the momentum. I think it is a big achievement for us to be able to make a comeback. If we can win with Khulna as well, we will feel that it is a big achievement.’