The Khulna Tigers battled their way to victory against the Sylhet Strikers, securing a thrilling six-wicket win during their Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2024-25 encounter on January 23, 2025, at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. This match marked Khulna's return to form, as they managed to chase down the Sylhet Strikers' target of 153 runs with just one ball to spare, bringing an end to their frustrating streak of failed chases.
Skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz played the star role for Khulna, hiting 70 runs off 50 balls, which included eight boundaries and two sixes. His aggressive batting was instrumental as he anchored the innings, taking full advantage of some wayward bowling from the Strikers. After the match, Khulna’s performance was echoed positively, showcasing Miraz's versatility, especially after previously struggling with the ball during this tournament.
The Sylhet Strikers started off with George Munsey, who countered Khulna's early strike by the captain, who dismissed Rony Talukdar for a two-ball duck. Munsey led the charge with his explosive bat, scoring 58 runs off just 32 balls, including six fours and four sixes. His partnership with Zakir Hasan, which yielded 74 runs for the second wicket, offered some respite after the early loss. Zakir contributed significantly too, making 44 runs but failed to rally other batsmen, as the middle order collapsed under pressure from Khulna’s disciplined bowling.
Despite their efforts to stabilize, the Strikers could only muster 152 runs for the loss of nine wickets. Khulna's bowler Abu Hider was particularly effective, taking 2 wickets for 27 runs, with Salman Irshad and Hasan Mahmud each picking up two wickets, crippling the Strikers' momentum toward the end.
Khulna Tigers began their innings with momentum, as the opening duo of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mohammad Naim added 65 runs together. Naim contributed 20 runs before falling to Nihaduzzaman. Miraz’s performance set the tone for the chase, as he reached his half-century quickly, doing so within just 29 balls—a sparkling display of his batting prowess when Khulna needed it most. Afif Hossain, who was promoted to the number three position, unfortunately did not contribute significantly to the innings, only scoring three runs.
Despite losing Miraz, who fell to Nihaduzzaman at 106 for 3, the chase was effectively managed by Alex Ross and William Bosisto, who provided stability. Bosisto’s performance was particularly impressive as he struck 19 runs off just 11 balls, securing the victory with a six off the penultimate delivery. Ross also remained not out with 20 runs, supporting Khulna to cross the line with significant contributions at the end.
This win not only lifted Khulna to fifth place on the points table with eight points but also reignited their hopes for the playoffs. Conversely, the Strikers remained at the bottom, having only two wins from their last nine matches, reflecting their struggles throughout this season.
The match showcased not only individual talents such as Mehidy Hasan Miraz and George Munsey but also highlighted team dynamics under pressure and the importance of middle-order support.
Looking forward, both teams will have to reassess their strategies as the BPL season continues. Khulna Tigers, with their renewed confidence, will head toward their next matches with momentum, hoping to maintain their winning streak, whereas Sylhet Strikers will need urgent improvements to climb up from their disappointing position.