DHAKA, Jan 12, 2025 (BSS)-Sylhet Strikers registered its second victory in 
the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) as they recorded an eight-run victory 
against Khulna Tigers, riding on a brilliant 75 not out of Zakir Hasan at 
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today.

Zakir fashioned Sylhet's first victory in the previous matches too, when he 
struck a 27 ball-58 to lead the side to a three-wicket victory over Dhaka 
Capitals. That was Sylhet's first victory after losing three straight 
matches.

Zakir's unbeaten 75 off 46, studded with three fours and six sixes was his 
career-best and powered Sylhet to 182-5, a score that proved to be tough to 
handle for Khulna which eventually were restricted to 174-9.

Opener Rony Talukdar was the other notable contributor for Sylhet with 44 
ball-56, hitting five fours and two sixes.

After being sent to bat first, Sylhet were at precarious position, losing two 
wickets for just 15 runs in 4.2 overs. Zakir and Rony steadied the ship with 
106-run partnership for the third wicket and gave the side a platform of a 
big total.

Abu Haider Rony who took highest two wickets for Khulna, giving away 25 runs, 
broke through with the wicket of his namesake Rony but Zakir continued his 
whirlwind batting, guiding side to a respectable total.

Aaron Jones with 6 ball-20 and skipper Ariful Haque with 13 ball-21 not out 
helped Zakir gave a fitting finish.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Reece Topley and Ruyel Miah scalped two wickets apiece to 
help Sylhet make regular inroads against Khulna.

Nahidul Islam gave the initial breakthrough by dismissing Naim Sheikh for 11. 
The trio then got into act to gradually slice the middle order, leaving them 
19 runs required to win the game in the last over with three wickets at 
hands.

When Abu Haider Rony struck two boundaries in a row, Khulna looked to win the 
game but Ruyel Miah claimed the wicket Rony in the next delivery and then to 
make the matter worse, Mahidul Islam Ankan who scored 28 was trapped run out, 
which eventually shattered Khulna's hope.

Williams Bosisto, however, was the top-scorer for Khulan with 43 while 
Mohammad Nawaz made 33. 

It was Khulna's second straight defeat after winning first two matches in a 
row.