BPL lights up on Sylhet's last day

The Sylhet phase of the sixth edition of the Bangladesh Premier League ended yesterday in contrasting fashion to how it had started. While the first two days of the Sylhet leg saw mostly low-scoring encounters, the final two days provided the crowd with what they love most -- exciting, high-scoring matches.

The two games played at the Sylhet International Stadium yesterday kept the spectators right at the edge of their seats. While the first match of the day saw defending champions Rangpur Riders chase down the 194-run total posted by home side Sylhet Sixers -- the highest successful run chase of this edition -- the second match under lights treated the crowd to the first 200-run total of the season as Chittagong Vikings posted a mammoth 214 for four, the second highest total in BPL history, against Khulna Titans.

On a day when batsmen ruled the roost, Sylhet's Sabbir Rahman stood out as he authored a sublime 51-ball 85 -- the highest individual score of the edition -- but it was for a losing cause as his side failed to defend the total.

In the second game, Chittagong rode on contributions from skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (52 off 33), Yasir Ali (54 off 36) and a late blitz from Dasun Shanaka (42 off 17 balls).

Khulna, however, could not quite match the exploits of the three other teams as they were kept to 188 for 8 by Chittagong to lose the match by 26 runs. Abu Jayed was Chittagong's most successful bowler with three for 33 from four overs.