Online Desk: Sylhet Strikers got back to winning ways with a six-wicket victory over bottom-placed Khulna Tigers in their last group-stage match guaranteeing a Qualifier spot in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. Yet another low-scoring affair was on display in Mirpur as Khulna Tigers, having opted to bat first, managed to post a meagre 113 for eight.

Mahmudul Hasan Joy scored a run-a-ball 41 and Nahidul Islam managed a 17-ball 22 to give the Khulna bowlers something to defend. Sylhet pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib was the pick of the bowlers returning with three wickets for 22 runs, and Pakistan recruits Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir made an impact on their return to the BPL scalping two wickets for 10 runs and one for 32 respectively. In reply, Sylhet got off to a shaky start losing both their in-form openers, Towhid Hridoy and Najmul Hossain Shanto, inside the first three overs with only ten runs on the board.

But Zakir Hasan and veteran Mushfiqur Rahim brushed off any jitters in the camp as they put on a 90-run stand to spurn any Khulna hopes. Zakir scored a 46-ball fifty that featured five fours and a six but departed shortly after reaching the milestone as he was caught by Nahidul off the bowling of left-arm spinner Hasan Murad who showed good awareness to run out the other set batter, Mushfiqur (39), in the same over leaving Sylhet four down for 100 after the end of 16 overs. Ryan Burl came in and hit a four and then a six to finish off proceedings giving Sylhet their ninth win of the tournament.