Cricket Highlights, Jan 6: Bangladesh Premier League 2024/25 (9th Match) – Sylhet Strikers vs Rangpur Riders

SYS vs RAR (9th Match) – Highlights

In this article, we will discuss the thrilling 9th match of the Bangladesh Premier League 2025, held in Sylhet on January 6, 2025. The contest featured SYS taking on RAR in a high-scoring encounter that showcased exceptional batting performances. Sylhet Strikers set an imposing target of 205/4, but Rangpur Riders chased it down with remarkable ease, finishing at 210/2 in just 19 overs. The Riders’ dominant 8-wicket victory, achieved with six balls to spare, highlighted their batting prowess and tactical brilliance. 

Sylhet Strikers, batting first, set an imposing target of 205/4 in their 20 overs. The innings began with an aggressive knock by Rony Talukdar, who scored 54 off 32 balls, striking seven boundaries and three sixes. 

His dominance in the powerplay ensured Sylhet got off to a flying start. George Munsey partnered him briefly, contributing 18 off 12 balls before being dismissed by Akif Javed. Zakir Hasan played a vital role in stabilizing the innings, crafting a patient 50 off 38 balls, which included four sixes.

The middle order saw contributions from Paul Stirling (16 off 16) and Aaron Jones, who provided the much-needed acceleration in the death overs with a quickfire 38 off 19 balls at a strike rate of 200. Jaker Ali stole the show in the final overs with a blistering cameo of 20 runs off just 5 balls, including three sixes, to propel SYS past the 200-run mark. 

Rangpur’s bowlers struggled to contain the batsmen, with Mohammad Saifuddin being the pick of the bowlers, claiming 2 wickets for 31 runs. Mahedi Hasan and Akif Javed chipped in with one wicket each but were on the expensive side, conceding 38 and 51 runs, respectively.

In response, RAR made their intent clear despite losing Azizul Hakim for a duck in the very first over. Alex Hales put on a batting masterclass, smashing an unbeaten 113 off just 56 balls, laced with 10 boundaries and 7 towering sixes. His ability to find gaps and clear the ropes at will kept the Riders well ahead of the required run rate throughout the chase. 

Hales was well-supported by Saif Hassan, who played an equally important innings of 80 off 49 balls, including 3 fours and 7 sixes. Together, they built a 186-run partnership for the second wicket, completely taking the game away from Sylhet.

The Strikers’ bowlers had no answers to the relentless onslaught. Tanzim Hasan Sakib was the only bowler to find success, picking up both wickets and finishing with figures of 2/23 in his four overs. 

However, the rest of the bowling unit proved expensive, with Al-Amin Hossain and Nihaduzzaman conceding over 11 runs per over. Rangpur Riders chased down the target in just 19 overs, finishing at 210/2 with six balls to spare, marking an emphatic victory led by Alex Hales’ sensational century.

Sylhet Strikers vs Rangpur Riders Scoreboard

Sylhet Strikers– 205/4

Rangpur Riders– 210/2(19/20)

Result – Rangpur won by 8 wickets (with 6 balls remaining)

Player of the Match – Alex Hales

SYS vs RAR Playing XI

Sylhet Strikers

Rony Talukdar, George Munsey, Zakir Hasan, Paul Stirling, Aaron Jones, Jaker Ali(WK), Ariful Haque(C), Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nihaduzzaman, Reece Topley, Al-Amin Hossain

Rangpur Riders

Alex Hales, Azizul Hakim, Saif Hassan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Saifuddin, Nurul Hasan(C)(WK), Mahedi Hasan, Nahid Rana, Akif Javed, Rakibul Hasan

Disclaimer: These match highlights reflect the author’s insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the points discussed and form their own conclusions.

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