The West Indian recruit Kyle Mayers came up with a stellar all-round performance in his first match in the Bangladesh Premier League as Fortune Barishal bolstered their playoffs hopes, and knocked Sylhet Strikers out following the 18-run win at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong Saturday.
Mayers contributed a 31-ball 48 with three fours and as many sixes before claiming 3/12 to script Barishal's sixth victory in 10 matches, which propelled them to third spot in the points table behind Rangpur Riders and holders Comilla Victorians.
Sylhet with six points from 10 games are now out of the race.
After deciding to bat first, Barishal put up 183/6 with Mushfiqur Rahim scoring team-high 52.
Mayers then sliced through the middle-order, which was key in reducing Sylhet to 40/6 in 9.4 overs.
Benny Howell and Ariful Haque hit fluent fifties and shared 108, the highest for seventh wicket in BPL history, but that still proved to be insufficient.
35TH MATCH
Fortune Barishal 183/6 (Mushfiq 52, Tanzim 3/48) beat Sylhet Strikers 165/8 (Ariful 57, Mayers 3/12) by 18 runs
