Nazmul leads Sylhet to close victory

Sylhet Royals prevailed in a tight contest against Rangpur Riders after Nazmul Hossain Milon's late charge. The five-wicket win, their sixth of the season, gave the Royals a clear lead at the top of the points table.

Known for his ability to clear the boundary, Milon has lived up to his reputation so far in the tournament with some short bursts in the middle order. On Thursday, he hit one over deep midwicket off Nasir Hossain and when the asking rate rose in the last five overs, Milon blasted Fidel Edwards over cover and drove Abdur Razzak straight and edged him past the wicketkeeper. The late blows put the Royals firmly in control and they won with three balls to spare. Milon remained unbeaten on 45 off 29 balls.

Milon added 37 for the fifth wicket with captain Mushfiqur Rahim, who made 17 off 24 balls, before finishing the chase with Elton Chigumbura, who was unbeaten on 10. Earlier in the innings, opener Dwayne Smith had scored 31 off 21 balls but Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Mominul Haque fell cheaply.

The Riders had imploded from a position of strength after they were sent in to bat. From 101 for 1 in the 15th over, they collapsed to 122 all out, the same score they had been dismissed for in the last game. The platform had been set by Shamsur Rahman's third half-century in the competition, 52 off 46 balls with five fours and a six, but it was wasted.

Smith and Sohag Gazi picked up three wickets each, while Dirk Nannes took two for the Royals.