Zakir Hasan struck a 27 ball-58 as Sylhet Strikers registered its first win in the Bangladesh Premier League, beating Dhaka Capitals by three wickets at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Friday.
After a string of poor performances, Liton Das finally seemed to get into groove as he smashed a brilliant half-century to lead Dhaka to 193-6 but later Zakir's knock proved to be pivotal in helping the side chase down the target in just 18.4 overs as they reached 195-7 to confirm the victory.
Skipper Ariful Haque played a handy 15 ball-28 not out to sail the side home after Zakir's blitz. Rony Talukdar hammered a 20 ball-30 to complement them.
Liton scored just 42 runs in four matches with three single digit figure in this BPL before being dropped in the last match against Chittagong Kings.
He, however, returned to the squad and this time with bang by belting 43 ball-73. The innings which was designed with 10 fours and one six gave Dhaka a big total and raised their hopes to register their first victory but instead they succumbed to sixth straight defeat.
Sylhet earlier lost their past three matches.
Dhaka elected to bat first and lost inform Tanzid Hasan Tamim in the first over but Liton batted with elegance like his heydays to bring the side back into the contest.
He got ably support from Munim Shahriar who scored 47 ball-52 with seven fours and one six and added 129-run with Liton for the second wicket to pave a strong platform.
West Indies recruit Rahkeem Cornwall broke through by removing both of the batters in the space of three balls but cameo from Sabbir Rahman and skipper Thisara Perera propelled the side past 190-run mark.
Sabbir who blasted 33 ball-82 not out in the last match, smacked 10 ball-23 with three sixes while Perera made a rapid 18 of 9.
Cornwall was the most successful bowler for Sylhet with 3-27 while Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Reece Topley took one wicket apiece.
