BPL 2025: Durbar Rajshahi Keep Playoff hopes alive with victory over Sylhet Strikers in their last league match

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BPL 2025: Durbar Rajshahi concluded their league campaign in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) with a commanding five-wicket win against Sylhet Strikers, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Playing at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, the side led by Taskin Ahmed showcased resilience despite challenges off the field, including controversies regarding player payments.

Electing to bat first, Sylhet managed a modest total of 117/9 in their 20 overs. The innings lacked momentum, with only Ahsan Bhatti (25) and Zakir Hasan (24) contributing significantly. Late-order batter Sumon Khan added an unbeaten 20 off 11 deliveries to provide some respectability to the score. For Rajshahi, off-spinner Mehrab Hasan was the star bowler, delivering a remarkable spell of 4/15 in four overs, while pacer Mrittunjoy Chowdhury claimed 3/33.

Chasing 118, Rajshahi stumbled early, losing opener Sabbir Hossain in the first over. A shaky start saw them at 22/4 within the first four overs, as Sylhet bowlers Tanzim Hasan Sakib (2/17) and Jeavor Royal (2/34) created pressure. However, a pivotal 75-run partnership between Akbar Ali and Ryan Burl for the fifth wicket steadied the innings. Akbar scored a composed 43 off 38 balls before falling, while Burl remained unbeaten on 48 from 34 deliveries, guiding his team to victory in 16.5 overs.

Rajshahi's league phase ended on a high with three consecutive wins, including a dramatic two-run victory against Rangpur Riders in their previous outing. The team's playoff qualification now depends on the results of other matches.

For Sylhet Strikers, the loss marked their ninth defeat in 11 matches, with their playoff hopes already extinguished. Their inconsistent batting throughout the tournament continued to haunt them, with this being another low-scoring effort that failed to challenge the opposition effectively.

Brief Scores:

• Sylhet Strikers: 117/9 in 20 overs (Ahsan Bhatti 25, Zakir Hasan 24; Mehrab Hasan 4/15, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury 3/33)
• Durbar Rajshahi: 121/5 in 16.5 overs (Ryan Burl 48*, Akbar Ali 43; Tanzim Hasan Sakib 2/17, Jeavor Royal 2/34)
• Result: Durbar Rajshahi won by five wickets.
• Player of the Match: Mehrab Hasan