Ryan Burl’s All-Round Show and Yasir Ali’s Aggressive Knock Propel Rajshahi to Victory Over Khulna Tigers
Ryan Burl had just arrived at the crease when Rajshahi found themselves in trouble at 4 wickets down. Facing Mohammad Nawaz, Burl swung his bat, and though Hasan Mahmud dived to take a catch, the ball slipped from his grasp and rolled to the boundary. That missed chance marked the turning point of the game, with the momentum shifting away from Khulna.
Burl, who could have been out for 2, instead played a crucial knock, forming an aggressive partnership with Yasir Ali that all but decided the match. Later, Burl made an impact with the ball as well, as Rajshahi bounced back from two consecutive losses to claim a convincing 28-run win.
Khulna Tigers, who started the BPL with two straight wins, came into this match after a week-long break, seemingly losing their rhythm. Dominant Rajshahi capitalized on this, registering a much-needed victory.
At the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Friday, Rajshahi posted 178 runs in their 20 overs. Khulna, in reply, could only manage 150.
Burl’s all-around brilliance earned him the Player of the Match award. He scored an unbeaten 48 off 29 balls and later took 2 wickets for 13 runs.
Contrasting Starts
The game began with Mohammad Haris smashing a four and a six off Nasum Ahmed’s opening over. Haris continued his aggressive approach, but his partner, Jisan Alam, struggled to score freely.
By the end of the fifth over, Rajshahi had reached 42 runs, with Haris contributing 26 off 18 balls, while Jisan managed just 12 off 12. Haris fell to Nasum in the powerplay’s final over, bowled while attempting a slog sweep. Despite reaching double figures in all five of his innings this season, Haris’s highest score remains just 32.
Slow Middle Overs
Captain Enamul Haque, batting at three, survived an early catch but fell for 7 off 8 balls. SM Meherob, playing his first game of the tournament, was bowled by Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 4.
Jisan’s struggle continued, and he was caught in the deep attempting a six off Nawaz after scoring a laborious 23 off 22 balls. At the halfway mark, Rajshahi stood at 67/4, seemingly in trouble.
Burl and Yasir’s Game-Changing Partnership
In a precarious situation, Yasir Ali and Ryan Burl counterattacked brilliantly, adding 88 runs off 51 balls for the fifth wicket. Yasir started with back-to-back boundaries off Abu Hider, while Burl survived a dropped catch on 2, which proved costly for Khulna.
Burl soon smashed a massive six, followed by more aggressive strokes from both batters. They particularly targeted Miraz, who conceded 25 runs in his final two overs after a tight start.
Yasir eventually fell to a brilliant yorker from Abu Hider for 41 off 25 balls, but the damage was already done.
Akbar Ali’s Late Flourish
Akbar Ali provided a final flourish, smashing 21 runs off just 9 balls, including a reverse-ramp six that wowed the crowd. Although Burl missed out on a half-century, remaining unbeaten on 48, his contribution was pivotal.
Rajshahi added 80 runs in the last 7 overs, setting a challenging target of 178 for Khulna.
Khulna’s Struggles
Chasing 178, Khulna Tigers faltered from the start. No batter could build a significant innings or form a crucial partnership.
Jisan Alam started with a wicket, dismissing William Bosisto, who fell to a reverse sweep. Captain Miraz followed soon after, caught at third man off Taskin Ahmed.
Afif Hossain showed glimpses of form with a 29-ball 33, but his dismissal ended Khulna’s faint hopes. Contributions from Mahidul Islam Ankon (18) and Imrul Kayes (17 off 6 balls) weren’t enough to turn the tide.
Afif’s 33 was the highest individual score for Khulna, and the team’s best partnership was just 33 runs.
With this win, Rajshahi recorded their second victory in five matches.
Match Summary:
Durbar Rajshahi: 178/5 in 20 overs (Haris 27, Yasir 41, Burl 48*, Akbar 21*; Nasum 2/20)
Khulna Tigers: 150 in 19.3 overs (Afif 33, Imrul 17; Burl 2/13, Taskin 2/30)
Result: Rajshahi won by 28 runs.
Player of the Match: Ryan Burl.
