SYL VS CCH MATCH 13

Right then, that's all from this game where the Chattogram Challengers emerged victorious without breaking a sweat to go to the top of the table. On the other hand, the Sylhet Strikers suffered their fourth straight defeat and the wait continues for their first win of the season. The 2024 Bangladesh Premier League action does not stop here for the day as we have one more game coming up. It will be Durdanto Dhaka taking on the Khulna Tigers at this very venue. The first ball will be bowled at 6 pm IST (12.30 pm GMT) but you can join us early for the build-up. See you then. Cheers!

The captain of Chattogram Challengers, Shuvagata Hom says that it is a great feeling and credits the entire team for the win. He says that the top order got off to a fantastic start and made it easier for them to chase the total. Appreciates Bilal Khan for his bowling figures. Ends up by thanking the players for their efforts.

Bilal Khan is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliance with the ball. He says that he tries to keep things simple and goes with his strengths. Mentions that he tries to swing the new ball and he was getting help due to the atmosphere here. Feels that the wicket was on the slower side and therefore, he tried to vary his pace and bow it in the right areas.

The skipper of the Sylhet Strikers, Mashrafe Mortaza says losing four in a row is of course disappointing. Says that they have a match tomorrow and expect to come back strongly. Credits the Challengers bowling and says that the top order has been a challenge for us as they have kept losing wickets early. Adds that two set batters Harry Tector and Zakir Hasan were there in the middle and were going well but the credit goes to Chattogram Challengers for bowling good lines and lengths.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, after Mashrafe Mortaza won the toss and opted to put runs on the board, it was a far-from-ideal start for the Sylhet Strikers. Both openers fell in the space of four balls in the second over, and the Strikers found themselves in early trouble. Zakir Hasan and Harry Tector then joined hands to steady the ship. Hasan counter-attacked while Tector was happy to play the second fiddle. However, Hasan failed to kick on, which pegged back the Strikers. The boundaries dried up completely, but Tector and Ryan Burl kept working the ones and twos. Contributions from Ariful Haque and Ryan Burl helped the Strikers get to 137. For the Chattogram Challengers, Bilal Khan was the pick of the bowlers, with figures of 3 for 24 from his four overs. Mohammad Nihaduzzaman bowled well in the middle phase but had only one wicket to his name.

As far as the Sylhet Strikers are concerned, they have slumped to yet another defeat and the road to the playoffs becomes even tougher for them now. With not a big total to defend, the Strikers were in search of early inroads. It was not the start they were hoping for, as they conceded 20 runs in the first two overs. They did seem to pull things back with the introduction of Rejaur Rahman and Tanzim Hasan Sakib, with the latter striking with his first ball. However, the Strikers were not able to capitalise on that scalp and kept leaking boundaries. As many as seven bowlers, including himself, were used by Mashrafe Mortaza, but neither of them was able to have much of an impact in the defence of a below-par total.

Chattogram Challengers have done it in a canter here to secure their fourth win of the competition! They have absolutely breezed past the Sylhet Strikers to go to the top of the table. In pursuit of 138 runs, Avishka Fernando got off the blocks quickly and put the opposition bowlers under pressure. Fernando was unable to convert his start, which is when Tom Bruce joined Tanzid Hasan. Tanzid took the initiative of taking the attack to the opposition and Bruce followed suit soon. Both batters found boundaries at will and never allowed the required run rate to become an issue. Tanzid got out immediately after reaching his fifty, but Bruce carried on and brought up his fifty. He remained unbeaten alongside Shahadat Hossain to see his side through for their third straight victory.

That's it! A single to finish things off and Chattogram Challengers win their third consecutive game! Bowls it short and outside off, Tom Bruce punches it to sweeper cover for a single to register the win for his team. Chattogram Challengers win comprehensively by 8 wickets.

FOUR BYES! Oh dear! Bowls it outside off and spins further after pitching, Tom Bruce shuffles across and tries to paddle it but gets beaten by the extra spin and so does the keeper as well. It trickles down the carpet for a boundary towards fine leg. Scores are level now.

Dragged length and at off, Tom Bruce punches it back to the bowler off the back foot.

Keeps low on a flatter trajectory on off, Shahadat Hossain cuts it square towards extra cover for a single.

Strays it down leg, Shahadat Hossain easily sweeps it to backward square leg for one.

Tom Bruce gets his FIFTY and it has been an unbothered one. Just around off and a bit short, Tom Bruce rocks back and pushes it along the carpet towards long for a single to complete his half-century. An innings of authority from him.

Just around off and a tad fuller in length, Shahadat Hossain drives it through the gap between cover and point region for a single.

On the stump line and fuller in length, Tom Bruce steers it away to mid on for a single.

Flighted outside off and short, Shahadat Hossain punches it down the ground for a single.