BPL 2019-20: Match 34, Review- Rajshahi Royals race to the playoffs dismantling Sylhet Thunder

Rajshahi Royals became the second team after Chattogram Challengers to qualify for the playoffs of the 2019-20 BPL. Despite not having Andre Russell in their last two matches, the Royals have put their best foot forward. After beating Rangpur Rangers, they brushed aside the Sylhet Thunder by six wickets. Moreover, the Royals also managed to get their top position back in the points table.

Mithun fights for the Thunder

The Thunder strained to get the ball rolling in the first-half of their innings. Abdul Mazid blasted a couple of sixes to a 11-ball 16, but Andre Fletcher couldn’t find his timing. Fletcher had a painful vigil of a 33-ball 25 before Liton Das ran him out. Johnson Charles fell cheaply to Mohammad Irfan. When Fletcher got out, the Thunder were gasping for breath with the score at 68 for three in 12.2 overs.

However, the hosts stepped on the gas and added 75 runs off the last 46 deliveries. Mohammad Mithun (47) and Sherfane Rutherford (25) stitched together a 47-run partnership off 22 balls. The former got run out just when the pair was threatening to take the game away. Alok Kapali got two wickets in the only over he bowled. The Thunder eventually managed to end with 143 in 20 overs.

Afif top-scores in Royals’ clinical run-chase

The hosts needed early wickets to slay alive in the contest. But Afif Hossain Dhrubo (46) and Liton Das went hammer and tongs in the powerplay. The duo put on a 59-run stand off 34 balls. Liton was the more attacking off the two to start with. He was severe on Ebadot Hossain, taking him for quite a few runs. But Rutherford got Das to break the stand. The bowler had to use the DRS for the wicket.

After the first wicket, Dhrubo upped the ante and denied the Thunder a foothold into the contest. The southpaw smacked eight fours before getting run out. Shoaib Malik (27) succumbed to a few failures in the last few games. He was looking good and fell prey to Delwar Hossain. Mohammad Nawaz hit one four and two sixes to help the Royals chase down the target with 29 balls to spare.

Brief Scores

Sylhet Thunder: 143/6 in 20 overs (Mohammad Mithun 47, Sherfane Rutherford 25; Alok Kapali 2/14)

Rajshahi Royals: 145/4 in 15.1 overs(Afif Hossain Dhrubo 46, Liton Das 36; Delwar Hossain 2/11)

Rajshahi Royals win by six wickets.