Fortune Barishal became the first team to reach the final of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 2022 as they beat Comilla Victorians in the first qualifier by 10 runs at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium Monday.
Barishal, who finished on top of the points table in the group stage, scored a lowly 143/8 but their bowlers did well to restrict the opponents to 133/7 and ensure the vital win.
Comilla, who will have another chance to reach the final when they face Chattogram Challengers, the winner of the eliminator, Wednesday seemed to be in a comfortable position while chasing the score as their openers provided a solid base.
Liton Das and Mahmudul Hasan Joy accumulated 62 runs in the opening stand before the latter was bowled by Mehedi Hasan Rana for 20 off 30 in the 11th over.
Barishal’s left-arm seamer Shafiqul Islam, who was most impressive, brought his side strongly in the game very next over by dismissing Imrul Kayes (five) and Liton (38 off 35).
Comilla however, still had their two experienced foreigners - Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali - and the pair seemed to keep the chase on as they added 36 runs of 21 balls.
But just when the pair seemed to take control Barishal’s experienced campaigner Dwayne Bravo made the vital breakthrough.
In the first ball of the 15th over Moeen whacked Bravo for six but the latter bowled a brilliant fuller length delivery next up to dismiss the Englishman for 22 off 15.
Comilla still would feel confident as they needed 22 off last two overs with Du Plessis and Sunil Narine, two veterans on the crease and the 25-year old local paceman Rana to bowl the penultimate over.
However, Rana, who was adjudged player of the match for his brilliant return of 2/16 from four overs, showed his mettle giving away just two singles in first two including a drop catch of Narine by Bravo and he put his side in the driving seat by removing Du Plessis in the next ball for 21.
Rana’s brilliant over ensured Afghan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahaman had 17 runs to defend and despite Narine hitting him for a six it was too much of an ask.
Earlier in the day, after losing the toss Barishal made a brisk opening stand of 58 off 38 balls before Chris Gayle was out for 22 off 19.
Munim Shahriar, who has been one of the most impressive hitters throughout the tournament got out in the 10th over after scoring 44.
Despite his dismissal it looked Barishal would set a big score but they lost their way as Shakib al Hasan, who was awarded man of the match in last five matches, ran himself out in the same over before Nazmul Hassan Shanto got out in the next over.
Towhid Hirdoy got out for just one in 13th over and Barishal seemed to be in all sorts of trouble but Bravo (17), Ziaur Rahman (17) and Nurul Hasan (11) got some runs to take the score past the 140-run mark that eventually proved sufficient.
