For several days, uncertainty loomed over player payments, but Durbar Rajshahi proved the meaning of their name on the field with a commanding performance.
“Will Rajshahi even play?” a curious fan asked while holding a ticket, an hour and a half before the match. Moments later, as the Rajshahi team bus rolled into the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, the fan’s doubt was answered. Given the negative reports about Rajshahi players’ pay disputes in recent days, the question wasn’t entirely baseless.
Despite the challenges, Rajshahi took the field after securing 50% of their payments and showed a marked improvement in their performance. Through disciplined batting and bowling, they crushed Sylhet Strikers by 65 runs.
No individual brilliance stood out for Rajshahi, but a collective effort earned them the win. Ryan Burl top-scored with 41 runs, while six other batters reached double figures. On the bowling front, Sanjamul Islam picked up 3 wickets, with Taskin Ahmed, Aftab Alam, and Mrittunjoy Chowdhury taking 2 each.
Chasing a target of 185, Sylhet Strikers collapsed for just 119 runs in 17.3 overs. Sanjamul was named Player of the Match in only his second game of the season.
A Troubled Build-Up
The players’ payment issues had brought Rajshahi to the brink of boycotting the match. After arriving in Chattogram, they skipped practice on the first day and only trained after a reassuring meeting with BCB President Faruk Ahmed. The team finally agreed to play after receiving 25% of their pay in cash and another 25% via checks on the morning of the match.
With this win, Rajshahi climbed to fourth on the points table with three wins from seven matches, while Sylhet suffered their fifth loss from the same number of games.
Rajshahi’s Innings:
The match began with a bang as Mohammad Haris hit a six off Reece Topley in the opening over. However, Rajshahi slowed down in the powerplay, scoring just 38 runs in the first six overs.
After the openers fell, Anamul Haque and Yasir Ali provided stability. Anamul, dropped on 9, smashed two sixes in the same over to punish Paul Stirling. Yasir hit two quick boundaries before departing for 19, while Ryan Burl unleashed a flurry of sixes later. Burl smashed four sixes in his 27-ball 41 before falling to Nihaduzzaman.
In the end, Rajshahi managed 184/7 in their 20 overs, aided by Sylhet’s sloppy bowling, which leaked 20 extras, including 18 wides.
Sylhet’s Collapse:
Sanjamul struck early, removing both Sylhet openers in his first two overs. Zakir Hasan tried to counterattack, hitting two sixes off Zisan Alam, but his dismissal in the 10th over marked the beginning of the end for Sylhet.
Sylhet lost their last 8 wickets for just 48 runs. Zakir’s 39 and Zakir Ali’s late 31 were the only noteworthy contributions, as they folded for 119 runs.
Match Summary:
- Durbar Rajshahi: 184/7 in 20 overs
Haris 19, Anamul 32, Burl 41 (4×6)
Nihaduzzaman 2/37, Ruhel 3/32 - Sylhet Strikers: 119 in 17.3 overs
Zakir Hasan 39, Zakir Ali 31
Sanjamul 3/25, Taskin 2/14
Result: Durbar Rajshahi won by 65 runs
Player of the Match: Sanjamul Islam
