Barishal retain winning streak in BPL Cricket
Sports Reporter :
Fortune Barishal retained their winning streak beating Khulna Tigers by five wickets in the Dutch-Bangla Bank Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Cricket at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital’s Mirpur on Monday.
Fortune Barishal and Rangpur Riders gained 16 points each from their respective 10 matches. By virtue of better run rate, Rangpur Riders took the top spot of the points table, while Fortune Barishal are breathing on Rangpur’s neck bagging same points. Earlier, Rangpur Riders and Fortune Barishal took their spot in the last four.
On the other hand, Khulna Tigers earned eight points from 10 matches. Their hope to reach the last four became complicated.
Chasing Khulna Tigers fighting total of 187 for the loss of five wickets in the allotted 20 overs, Barishal romped home making 188 for the loss of five wickets when they had just five balls to spare.
Barishal had an unhappy start as opener Towhid Hridoy (11) was trapped leg before wicket by Abu Hider when Barishal’s score was 11.
Openers Tamim Iqbal and one-down Dawid Malan rescued their team from debacle contributing together 91 runs for the second wicket partnership before Tamim Iqbal was caught by Afif Hossain off Salman Irshad when Barishal’s total was 102 for the loss of two wickets.
Dawid Malan hammered a stormy 63. His 37-ball innings was laced with eight fours and three sixes. Dawid Malan was adjudged the Man of the Match for his match-winning innings.
Tamim Iqbal made 27 from 25 balls featuring two sixes and one four.
After Tamim’s dismissal, Dawid Malan could not stay at the crease for a long period as he was caught by Mohammad Naim off Afif Hossain when Barishal’s score was 121 for the loss of three wickets.
After Malan’s departure, Mahmudullah Riyad (24) was run out by substitute Mahmudul Hasan Joy when Barishal’s total was 152 for the loss of four wickets.
Mushfiqur Rahim (24) was caught by Mehidy Hasan Miraz off Abu Hider when Barishal’s score was 152 for the loss of five wickets.
Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nabi helped their side to reach the winning spot.
Faheem remained unbeaten with 18 runs, while Mohammad Nabi remained unbeaten with 15 runs.
Abu Hider bagged two wickets instead of 35 runs, while Afif Hossain and Salman Irashad picked up one wicket each for 13 and 21 runs respectively.
Earlier, Mohammad Naim, Afif Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz shone with the cherry.
Mohammad Naim cracked a windy 51. His 27-ball innings was ornamented with three sixes and five fours.
Afif Hossain hit a fine 32. His 27-ball innings had two sixes and two fours.
Miraz made 29 from 18 balls including three sixes and a four.