Shamsur Rahman played a stunning innings of 98 not out but it went in vain as Sylhet Royals beat Rangpur Riders by six wickets in the Bangladesh Premier League match in Mirpur on Thursday.
Half-centuries from Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Mushfiqur Rahim propelled Royals to 198-4 for the highest ever successful run-chase in BPL after their bowlers had restricted Riders to 197-4.
Shamsur, who rediscovered his batting form in this
BPL, struck his fifth half-century in the tournament and closed in on making his maiden Twenty20 century when he moved to 98 in the first ball of the final over.
But Kevin O’Brien hit two fours and a six in the next three balls to deny him the strike much to the frustration of the batsman. When O’Brien was bowled in the fifth ball, it made sure Shamsur has to satisfy with his 50-ball 98, which included as many as eight sixes.
Set a huge target, table-toppers Royals made a prolific start when Chanderpaul and Paul Sterling fetched 48 runs in the opening stand in just 4.2 overs before Sterling was bowled by Abdur Razzak.
Nasir Hossain trapped Chanderpaul lbw for 51 off 37 balls but Mushfiq ensured Royals did not spoil their good start with his second fifty of the tournament, a well-constructed 56 off 31 balls.
Razzak had Mushfiq out for an lbw with 39 runs still required from 27 balls but Mominul Haque (23 not out) and Elton Chigumbura (27 not out) took them safely at home.
Chigumbura nudged Razzak for a single to take the side 198-4 with six balls to spare as Royals overtook the record of Duronto Rajshahi, who had earlier knocked off 192 runs against Barisal Burners last season for most successful run-chase.
