Barishal overcome the battle of nerves

Fortune Barishal successfully defended a modest target of 144 runs against Comilla Victorians to become the first team to reach the final of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) in Mirpur yesterday.

The Shakib Al Hasan-led Barishal side eventually managed to beat Comilla by ten runs in an exciting first Qualifier game at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Comilla needed 22 runs off the last two overs but young left-arm seamer Mehedi Hasan Rana stepped up to dismiss the in-form Faf du Plessis and conceded just four runs in the 19th over. The youngster ended up with figures of two for 15 from his three overs. 

25-year-old Mehedi Hasan Rana after being awarded the Man-of-the-Match. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

The game had swung like a pendulum throughout and 18 runs was required off the final over but Mujeeb Ur Rahman kept his calm and successfully defended the target. Mujeeb gave away seven runs and also picked up two wickets in the last over as Comilla ended up on 133 for 7 in 20 overs.

However, it is not all over for Comilla as they will get another shot for a place in the final when they take on Chattogram Challengers in the second Qualifier on February 16. 

Despite the 62-run opening stand between Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Liton Das, Barishal came back strong in the middle overs and picked up three wickets in the span of eight deliveries. 

Rana broke the opening partnership, removing Mahmudul Hasan (20), while another left-arm pacer Shafiqul Islam gave a double-blow, removing skipper Imrul Kyes (5) and opener Liton (38) in the same over. 

Earlier, Munim Shahriar and Chris Gayle gave Barishal a flying start as the pair added 57 runs in the Power-play. But Barishal lost their way in the middle and managed to post 143 for 8 in 20 overs after being sent to bat.

Munim showed his big hitting skills yet again as the right hander struck two sixes and a four, taking 16 runs in the first over of the innings from Nahidul Islam. The youngster remained the dominant aggressor while Gayle also joined the onslaught, striking four boundaries in the fourth over of the innings, bowled by Tanvir Islam. 

Gayle was eventually dismissed by Shohidul Islam. The 58-run opening stand was broken as the self-proclaimed 'Universe Boss' departed after scoring 22 off 19 balls. 

Munim kept operating before being trapped leg-before to Tanvir after scoring 44 off 30 balls striking four sixes and two fours. Barishal faced a huge blow as their in-form skipper Shakib was run out in the same over. A misunderstanding with Najmul Islam Shanto meant Shakib had to depart on one. 

With the momentum in favour, Comilla kept picking wickets at regular intervals and prevented Barishal from scoring no more than 33 runs in the last five overs of the innings. 

Shohidul scalped two wickets in the 19th over and ended up with figures of three for 25 from his three overs while Moeen Ali took two wickets for Comilla.

Barishal's Chris Gayle can not wait to hug Faf du Plessis of Comilla as the two teams complete the formalities after match. Photo: Firoz Ahmed