Tamim lifts Barishal in play-off of BPL Cricket

Sports Reporter :
Dashing opener Tamim Iqbal lifted Fortune Barishal in the play-off stage of the Ispahani Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Cricket after Barishal beating Comilla Victorians by six wickets in the 41st match of the league at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital’s Mirpur on Friday.

Fortune Barishal collected 14 points from 12 matches to enter the play-off stage.

Rangpur Riders, Comilla Victorians and Chattogram Challengers also confirmed their play-off berth grabbing 18, 16 and 14 points respectively from 12 matches.

Captain Tamim Iqbal cracked a splendid 66.

His 48-ball innings was studded with three sixes and six fours. Tamim was adjudged the Man of the Match for his match-winning innings.

Chasing Comilla Victorians fighting total of 140 for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 20 overs, Fortune Barishal sailed home making 141 for the loss of four wickets when they had just two balls to spare.

Barishal had a awful start as opener Ahmed Shehzad (1) was stumped out by wicketkeeper Mahidul Islam off Enamul Haque when Barishal’s score was just 10.

After Shehzad’s dismissal, Tamim Iqbal and Kyle Mayers mended the innings contributing together 64 runs in the second wicket stand before Mayers was caught & bowled by Musfik Hasan when Barishal’s total was 74 for the loss of two wickets.

Mayers hit a run-a-ball 25 including two sixes and one four.

After Mayers dismissal, Tamim and Mushfiqur Rahim built a worthy partnership scoring together 39 runs for the third wicket partnership before Mushfiqur Rahim (17) was caught behind by Mahidul Islam off Musfik Hasan when Barishal’s score was 113 for 113 for the loss of three wickets.

After Mushfiqur’s departure, Tamim could not stay at the crease for a long period as he was dismissed by Andre Russell when Barishal’s total was 122 for the loss of four wickets.

After Tamim’s dismissal, Mahmudullah Riyad and Soumya Sarkar helped their side to reach the winning spot.

Riyad remained unbeaten with 12 runs, while Soumya remained unbeaten with six runs.

Musfik Hasan bagged two wickets in the space of 19 runs, while Enamul Haque and Andre Russell picked up one wicket apiece.
Earlier, Comilla lost their early three wickets for 40 runs.

One-down Towhid Hridoy and Moeen Ali made a remarkable partnership adding together 36 runs in the four-wicket stand before Hridoy (25) was dismissed by Obed McCoy when Comilla’s total was 76 for the loss of four wickets.

Later, Jaker Ali and Enamul Haque added 27 runs for the eighth wicket partnership before Enamul (3) was dismissed by Mohammad Saifuddin when Comilla’s score was 124 for the loss of eight wickets.

Jaker Ali fought back against the bowling attack of Fortune Barishal. Ali remained unbeaten with 38. His 16-ball innings had four sixes and two fours.

Taijul Islam captured three wickets in the space of 20 runs, while Mohammad Saifuddin and McCoy claimed two wickets each for 16 and 40 runs respectively.

Besides, Akif Javed got one wicket instead of 32 runs.