DHAKA, Bangladesh, CMC – West Indies left-hander Nicholas Pooran lashed a whirlwind half-century but it went in vain as Sylhet Sixers crashed to a 32-run defeat to star-studded leaders Dhaka Dynamites in the Bangladesh Premier League here yesterday.
Asked to chase a challenging 174 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Sixers were slumping at 37 for five in the seventh over before Pooran arrived to unveil a superb 72 off 47 deliveries, which nearly made a game of the contest.
The 23-year-old was in imperious form, blasting a four and nine sixes as he raced to his second successive half-century of the tournament, to extend his purple patch.
He put on 50 for the eighth wicket with Taskin Ahmed (18 not out) before perishing in the 18th over, taken in the deep off a pull at speedster Rubel Hossain (3-22) as he chased his third consecutive six of the over.
Earlier, Dynamites posted 173 for seven even though the big-hitting Windies pair of Kieron Pollard (3) and Andre Russell (5) failed to get going.
However, Sunil Narine smashed 25 off 21 balls with a couple of fours and sixes at the top of the order, putting on 67 for the second wicket with Rony Talukdar who top-scored with 58.
Dynamites have won their four games to top the standings with eight points.
In the other game of the doubleheader, West Indies T20 skipper Carlos Brathwaite failed with the bat but grabbed a couple of wickets as Khula Titans played to a thrilling tie with Chittagong Vikings, before losing on the one-over eliminator.