Holders Fortune Barishal announced their title ambitions in the business stage of the Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 2024-25 season with a thumping nine-wicket win over Chittagong Kings in the first qualifier Monday.
In the process, Barishal advanced to Friday’s final, sending Chittagong to Wednesday’s second qualifier where they will face Khulna Tigers.
Khulna earlier Monday thrashed title favorites Rangpur Riders by nine wickets in the Eliminator in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium to get things going on the first playoff day of the country’s premier T20 tournament, in its 11th edition.
The Riders made a meek exit from the competition after winning their first eight matches in succession, with the in-form all-rounder Khushdil Shah leading the way.
And although Khushdil eventually departed for Pakistan duty ahead of the Champions Trophy, Rangpur still had plenty of firepower Monday in the form of Australian big-hitter Tim David and star West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell.
Batting first in the afternoon, the Riders were all out for just 85 in 16.5 overs with only captain Nurul Hasan (23) and No 10 batter Akif Javed (32) scoring in double digit.
Rangpur’s batting was found wanting in the face of some brilliant bowling by Khulna, led by skipper Mehedi Hasan Miraz (3/10) and spinner Nasum Ahmed (3/16).
In reply, the Tigers romped home in only 10.2 overs despite the early departure of Miraz (nought).
Mohammad Naim (48) and Alex Ross (29) saw the side home without further hiccups.
With six wins and as many losses prior to the playoffs, Khulna’s approach was more workmanlike, coming good when it mattered the most, while Rangpur fizzled away after a scintillating start to the tournament.
Later in the evening, Barishal, first in the table after the league phase and also to reach the grand finale, swept past Chittagong with impressive ease.
Like Rangpur, Chittagong too had only two batters with double digit scores – opener Parvez Hossain Emon (36) and Shamim Hossain (79) – on their way to 149/9 after the port city outfit were asked to bat first.
Barishal’s Pakistani recruit Mohammad Ali ended up with stunning figure of 5/24.
In pursuit of the chase, Tamim Iqbal’s team strode out to the middle with purpose and finished the job in 17.2 overs only for the loss of the Barishal captain’s (29) wicket.
Opener Towhid Hridoy (82) and seasoned English campaigner Dawid Malan (34) were the unbeaten batters at the crease when the defending champions once again secured a title clash.
ELIMINATOR
Rangpur Riders 85 in 16.5 overs (Javed 32, Miraz 3/10) lost to Khulna Tigers 89/1 in 10.2 overs (Naim 48*, Ross 29*) by 9 wickets
QUALIFIER 1
Chittagong Kings 149/9 (Shamim 79, Ali 5/24) lost to Fortune Barishal 150/1 in 17.2 overs (Hridoy 82*, Malan 34*) by 9 wickets
