Chattagram: Sylhet Sixers have been eliminated from the play-off race of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) after losing to Rajshahi Kings by five wickets on Wednesday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. 

With the match, the Chattogram phase of BPL came to an end, reports the UNB.

The Sixers posted 189 for five wickets in their innings where Nicholas Pooran hit an unbeaten 76 off 31. The Kings chased it successfully relying on fiery Laure Evans. He struck 76 off 36 deliveries with 10 fours and two sixes to guide the Kings to 190/5 in 18 overs. 

The Kings finished their 12 matches of the league stage of the BPL winning six of them. Now they have to keep an eye on Dhaka Dynamites’ last two matches. If they lose both of the matches, the Kings will qualify for the four-team playoffs. But if the Dynamites win one and lose one, the team with a better run rate will go through. Or if the Dynamites win their remaining two matches, the Kings will be eliminated. 

While replying to the total of 189, the Kings finished the game with 12 balls to play. Along with Evans (76 off 36), Johnson Charles (39) and Ryan ten Doeschate (42) also contributed for the Kings. 

Sohail Tanvir and Sixers captain Alok Kapali took two wickets each while Taskin Ahmed bagged one. 

Earlier, Nicholas hit unbeaten 76 off 31 with six fours and as many as sixes to propel his team Sylhet Sixers to 189 for five in 20 overs. 

Both of the team came to this match in a must-win situation. They had no alternative but to win the game in order to secure a place in the playoffs of the ongoing BPL.

The Sixers won the toss and decided to bat first but they failed to have a decent start as they lost the first wicket in just 10 runs. Liton Das scored 10 off six balls with a four and a six. But he disappointed to continue this golden start to his innings. He fell to Arafat Sunny for lbw while sweeping him away. 

Afif Hossain and Jason Roy added 30 runs to the board. But Mustafizur Rahman managed a breakthrough for the Kings trapping Roy for 13. The Englishman skied a catch to Johnson Charles to get dismissed. Right after that, Afif and Sabbir Hossain posted 46 in the third wicket partnership. 

Afif was batting with great care. But he fell for 29 off 25 with two fours and sixes to his name. Sabbir was in the middle to keep the score going on. He struck four fours and two big sixes but fell while hitting Kamrul Islam Rabbi for a boundary. Sabbir finished at 45 for 39 deliveries. In the very next ball, Mohammad Nawaz suffered from a golden duck. 

While the wickets were keeping to fall from the other side of the wicket, Pooran was firm to hit the boundaries and he helped the Sixers to post a competitive total of 189 to keep the hope of playoff alive. 

Kamrul Islam took two wickets conceding 30 runs for the Kings while Arafat, Mehidy Hasan and Mustafizur bagged one wicket each.

While the Kings have completed all of their league stage matches, the Sixers will play their last match on February 1 against Chittagong Vikings who have already secured a place into the playoffs.