Sports Reporter :
Fortune Barishal posted an easy four-wicket win over Chattogram Challengers in the opening match of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Cricket at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Friday.
Chasing Chattogram Challengers total of 125 for the loss of eight wickets in the allotted 20 overs, Fortune Barishal romped home making 126 for the loss of six wickets when they had eight balls to spare.
Barishal had a shaky start as opener Najumul Hossain Shanto (1) was bowled out by Mehidy Hasan Miraz when Barisha’s score was just three runs.
After Shanto’s dismissal, Shykat Ali and Shakib Al Hasan added together 25 runs in the second wicket stand before Shakib Al Hasan (13) was bowled out by Miraz when Barishal’s total was 28 for the loss of two wickets.
After Shakib’s dismissal, Shykat Ali and Towhid Hridoy repaired the damage contributing together 34 runs for the third wicket partnership before Hridoy (16) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Kennar Lewis off Makidul Islam when Barishal’s score was 62 for the loss of three wickets.
After Hridoy’s departure, Shykat Ali and Irfan Sukkur built another notable partnership. They put on together 30 runs in the fourth wicket stand before Shykat Ali was caught by Will Jacks off Miraz when Barishal’s total was 92 for the loss of four wickets.
Shykat Ali hit his team’s highest of 39 runs. He hit two sixes and a four in his 35-ball innings.
After Shykat Ali’s dismissal, Irfan Sukkur (16) was trapped leg before wicket by Miraz when Barisha’s score was 92 for the loss of five wickets.
After Irfan’s departure, Salman Hossain (0) was run out by a direct throw of Afif Hossain when Barishal’s total was 92 for the loss of six wickets.
Then, Dwayne Bravo and Ziaur Rahman guided their team to reach the victory target. They scored together 35 runs in the unbroken seventh wicket partnership.
Ziaur Rahman remained unbeaten with 19 runs, while Bravo remained unbeaten with 12 runs.
Miraz restored some parity for his team claiming four wickets at the cost of 16 runs. He was adjudged the Man of the Match for his terrific bowling performance.
Earlier, Benny Howell of Chattogram Challengers resisted the superb bowling attack of Barishal. Howell hit a windy 41 from 20 balls featuring three sixes and three fours.
Alzarri Joseph of Barishal captured three wickets in the space of 32 runs, while Nayyem Hasan bagged two wickets at the cost of 25 runs.
Shakib Al Hasan, Jake Lintott and Dwayne Bravo took one wicket each.
