Khulna break chasing woes with Miraz’s brilliance

The Khulna Tigers ended their frustrating streak of failed chases in style, defeating Sylhet Strikers by six wickets at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium in Chattogram on 23 January.

Chasing a target of 153 runs, Khulna secured the win with just one ball to spare, thanks to a superb all-round performance by their captain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Miraz's sensational knock of 70 off 50 balls, featuring eight boundaries and two sixes, laid the foundation for Khulna's victory.

Despite a few stumbles along the way, Khulna finally broke their losing streak in chases, registering their fourth win in nine matches this Bangladesh Premier League season.

Khulna's openers, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mohammad Naim, got the team off to a promising start. The pair added 65 runs during the powerplay, taking full advantage of Sylhet's wayward bowling. However, Naim departed for 20 after attempting a big shot off Nihaduzzaman's delivery, with Kadim taking the catch at deep mid-wicket.

Miraz carried on in commanding fashion, reaching his half-century in just 29 balls. Afif Hossain, promoted up the order, couldn't make an impact, departing for three runs off five balls.

The pressure mounted when Sylhet's spinners tightened their grip in the middle overs.

Miraz's innings ended on 70 after he was caught by Tipu Sultan off Nihaduzzaman. Despite his dismissal, he had already laid a platform for Khulna's chase.

Contributions from Alex Ross, Mahidul Islam Ankan, and William Bosisto helped the Tigers cross the finish line. Bosisto's six off the penultimate delivery sealed the match, leaving Sylhet with yet another disappointing result.

Earlier in the match, Khulna's bowlers showcased impressive discipline to restrict Sylhet to a modest 152 runs for the loss of nine wickets.

Salman Irshad, Abu Hider Rony, and Hasan Mahmud each claimed two wickets, preventing Sylhet's batters from building any substantial momentum.

Sylhet's innings began disastrously, with opener Rony Talukdar dismissed for a duck in the first over. George Munsey and Zakir Hasan then stabilised the innings with a 74-run partnership.

Munsey played aggressively, smashing 58 off 32 balls, including a quick half-century in just 28 deliveries. However, his dismissal to a slower delivery from Abu Hider Rony stalled Sylhet's progress.

Zakir Hasan continued to anchor the innings, scoring 44 off 32 balls before being bowled. T

he rest of the batting line-up failed to capitalise, with Sylhet's middle and lower order faltering under pressure.

This crucial victory lifted Khulna Tigers to fifth place in the points table with eight points from nine matches, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Meanwhile, Sylhet Strikers remain rooted to the bottom, having managed just two wins from nine matches.