Fortune Barishal lifted their maiden Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 trophy in a final that was almost one-sided against four-time champions Comilla Victorians.
Chasing 155, Barishal reached their target with six wickets and an over to spare to claim the trophy of the 10th BPL.
The Barishal franchise previously played three finals in the history of the tournament – Barisal Burners [2012], Barisal Bulls [2015] and as Fortune Barishal in 2022 – but emerged fourth time lucky under the captaincy of Tamim Iqbal.
The occasion was the first experienced Bangladesh campaigners Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah finished as champions in the most anticipated cricket tournament of the country.
For defending champions Comilla, the plan to spend humongous amount on players came up short against a seasoned team.
Barishal were never uncomfortable or under pressure chasing the target in the season finale as openers Tamim and Mehedi Hasan Miraz got the side a 76-run stand within eight overs.
Both Tamim and Miraz took their chances against the Comilla bowlers and succeeded before Moeen Ali removed Tamim to break the partnership.
The first five balls of the over had fetched 15 runs but Tamim having hit a six and two boundaries got carried away.
He danced down the wicket only to miss the line of the ball and get stumped on 39 off 26.
The innings saw the left-handed batter finish as the highest run-scorer in the tournament with 492 runs.
Nine deliveries later Moeen got his second wicket, sending Miraz back for a 26-ball 29.
The dismissal triggered the Kyle Mayers show as he wrecked havoc on Comilla with the mighty swing of the willow.
The West Indies left-hander took Barishal from 82 for two in 9.3 overs to 141 for thee in 16.3 overs with a blistering 46 off 30 deliveries laced with five boundaries and two over boundaries.
The winning runs came off David Miller through a boundary at deep cover as the South African remained unbeaten on eight with Mahmudullah at the other end on seven runs.
Earlier, apart from Andre Russell’s 14-ball 27, Barishal bowling unit mixed with Tamim’s captaincy had kept the Comilla batters silent.
Barishal got their first wicket in the fifth ball of the innings in Sunil Narine and the dismissals continued in regular intervals.
Liton Das, Towhid Hridoy and Johnson Charles scored 16, 15 and 15 respectively.
James Fuller picked up two wickets, the most for Barishal, but was also the most expensive, giving away 43 runs in his spell.
FINAL
Comilla Victorians 154/6 (Mahidul 38, Fuller 2/43) lost to Fortune Barishal 157/4 in 19 overs (Mayers 46, Tamim 39) by 6 wickets
