Fortune favours Barishal
Sabbir Hossain :
Fortune Barishal emerged as the champions of the Ispahani Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Cricket defeating Comilla Victorians by six wickets in the final at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital’s Mirpur on Friday.
Sent into bat first, Comilla Victorians piled up a fighting total of 154 for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
In reply, Fortune Barishal romped home scoring 157 for the loss of four wickets when they had just six balls to spare.
Fortune Barishal had a solid start with two openers Tamim Iqbal and Mehidy Hasan Miraz put on together 76 runs for the opening partnership before Tamim Iqbal was bowled out by Moeen Ali.
Tamim hit a captain’s knock of 39. His 26-ball innings was studded with three sixes and three fours. Tamim Iqbal is the highest scorer in this year’s BPL Cricket. Tamim Iqbal was adjudged the Man of the Tournament.
After Tamim’s departure, Mehidy Hasan Miraz was caught at the long-on by Johnson Charles off Moeen Ali when Barishal’s total was 82 for the loss of two wickets. Miraz made 29 from 26 deliveries featuring two sixes and one fours.
After Miraz’s departure, Kyle Mayers and Mushfiqur Rahim built another worthy partnership putting together 59 runs in the third wicket stand before Mayers was caught at the mid-on by Moeen Ali off Mustafizur Rahman when Barishal’s score was 141 for the loss of three wickets.
Mayers hammered a sparkle 46. He hit five fours and two sixes in his 30-ball knock. Mayers was adjudged the Man of the Final.
After Mayers’ departure, Mushfiqur Rahim could not stay at the crease for a long period as he (13) was caught at the fine leg by substitute Mathew Forde off Mustafizur Rahman when Barishal’s total was 144 for the loss of four wickets.
Then, Mahmudullah Riyad and David Miller helped their side to anchor the victory target. Mahmudullah remained unbeaten with seven runs, while Miller remained unbeaten with eight runs.
Moeen Ali and Mustafizur Rahman grabbed two wickets each instead of 28 and 31 runs respectively.
Comilla Victorians lost their early wickets in regular intervals. They lost five wickets for 79 runs.
Third-down Mahidul Islam and fifth-down Jaker Ali built a remarkable partnership scoring together 36 runs in the six-wicket stand before Mahidul Islam was bowled out by Mohammad Saifuddin when Comilla’s total was 115 for the loss of six wickets.
Mahidul Islam hit his team’s highest of 38. His 35-ball innings had two sixes and two fours.
After Mahidul Islam’s dismissal, Jaker Ali and sixth-down Andre Russell made another notable partnership contributing together 39 runs in the unbroken seven wicket stand before Comilla’s innings came to an end.
Andre Russell remained unbeaten with 27. He hit four sixes in his 14-ball knock.
Jaker Ali remained unbeaten with 20. His 23-ball innings was belted with two fours.
James Fuller of Fortune Barishal bagged two wickets in the space of 43 runs, while Obed McCoy, Kyle Mayers and Mohammad Saifuddin picked up one wicket each for 24, 26 and 37 runs respectively.