Sylhet Strikers confirmed that they would be one of the two teams to play the first Qualifier of the Bangladesh Premier League, after recording a comprehensive six-wicket win over Khulna Tigers at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Wednesday.
They finished their impressive group phase campaign with 18 points from 12 games to retain top spot, reports BSS.
Comilla Victorians and Rangpur Riders, remain the other teams who could still finish the group phase with 18 points but only one can realistically make it given that the two sides face each other Friday in the last matchday before the playoffs.
Khulna in contrast will finish at the bottom of the table with four points from 11 matches after this latest defeat.
The Tigers put up yet another mediocre batting show to get restricted to 113/8, a total that Sylhet overhauled with ease, making 114/4 in 17.3 overs.
Zakir Hasan hit 50 off 46 with five fours and one six to make the chase a cake-walk.
He was ably supported by Mushfiqur Rahim who made 39 off 34, featuring four boundaries.
The duo shared 90 for the third wicket stand and helped the side close in on victory after Sylhet lost openers Towhid Hridoy (five) and Nazmul Hossain Shanto (three) for single digit figure, which left the side at a precarious 10/2.
Both the batters were dismissed in the space of just two balls but that mattered little.
Earlier, Sylhet bowlers came up with a disciplined bowling effort to stifle Khulna batters with Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Imad Wasim playing key roles.
Sakib snapped up 3/22 while Imad conceded just 10 runs for his two wickets in four overs.
Mahmudul Hasan Joy was the top-scorer with run-a-ball-41 while Nahidul Islam made 22.
39TH MATCH
Khulna Tigers 113/8 (Joy 41, Sakib 3/22) lost to Sylhet Strikers 114/4 in 17.3 overs (Zakir 50, Mushfiq 39) by six wickets
