Sports Reporter :
Fortune Barishal stormed into the final of the Ispahani Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Cricket thrashing Rangpur Riders by six wickets in the second Qualifier match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital’s Mirpur on Wednesday.
Sent into bat first, Rangpur Riders piled up a fighting total of 149 for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.
In reply, Fortune Barishal coasted home making 152 for the loss of four wickets when they had nine balls to spare.
Barishal had a sorrow start as opener Tamim Iqbal (10) was dismissed by Abu Hider when Barishal’s score was 21.
After Tamim’s departure, opener Mehidy Hasan Miraz could stay at the crease for a short period as he (8) was trapped leg before wicket by Abu Hider when Barishal’s total was 22 for the loss of two wickets.
One-down Soumya Sarkar and second-down Mushfiqur Rahim repaired the damage contributing together 47 runs in the third wicket stand before Soumya Sarkar (22) was stumped out by wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan off Mohammad Nabi when Barishal’s score was 69 for the loss of three wickets.
After Soumya’s dismissal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Kyle Mayers made a notable partnership putting together 50 runs in the four-wicket stand before Mayers was dismissed by Fazalhaq Farooqi when Barishal’s total was 119 for the loss of four wickets.
Then, Mushfiqur Rahim and David Miller played the key role to anchor the victory target scoring together 33 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket partnership.
Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten with 47 runs. He hit six fours and a sixer in his 38-ball plucky innings. He was adjudged the Man of the Match for his outstanding innings.
Mayers made 28 from 15 deliveries including three sixes and a four.
Miller remained unbeaten with 22 runs. He hit two fours and a sixer in his 18-ball knock.
Abu Hider was his team’s most successful batter with two wickets for 37 runs.
Rangpur Riders lost their early three wickets for 18 runs.
Second-down James Neesham and Nicholas Pooran mended the innings scoring together 30 runs in the four-wicket stand before Pooran (3) was dismissed by Mehidy Hasan Miraz when Rangpur’s total was 48 for the loss of four wickets.
After Pooran’s dismissal, James Neesham could not stay at the crease for a long period as he was caught behind by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim off James Fuller when Rangpur’s score was 48 for the loss of five wickets.
Neesham hit a remarkable 28. His 22-ball innings was belted with four fours.
Later, Shamim Hossain and Abu Hider built the most valuable partnership. They put on together 72 runs in the unbroken eighth wicket stand.
Shamim Hossain remained unbeaten with 59 runs. He hit five sixes and five fours in his 24-ball windy innings.
James Fuller grabbed three wickets in the space of 25 runs, while Mohammad Saifuddin captured two wickets instead of 27 runs.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Kyle Mayers picked up one wicket each for nine and 22 runs respectively.
