Match 38, Mirpur, January 29, 2025, 06:00 PM
73/10(15.3ov)
77/1(6.3ov)
Fortune Barishal beat Dhaka Capitals by 9 wickets
Right then, another fascinating day in the Bangladesh Premier League and there are still a couple of playoff spots up for grabs with just 4 league-stage games remaining. Earlier on, Chittagong Kings took a big stride towards sealing that third playoff spot and now we have seen Fortune Barishal guarantee themselves a place in Qualifier 1. Next up, it is another double-header on Thursday, 30 January beginning with a clash between Rangpur Riders and Khulna Tigers at 1 pm IST (7.30 am GMT) but as usual, you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up. Cheers!
Tamim Iqbal, the skipper of Fortune Barishal comes up in pace of injured Tanvir Islam to pick up the Man of the Match award. He says that this game was really important for them as they didn’t want to change the team therefore and played unbelievably well. Informs that Tanvir got hurt at the last of the first innings as he isn’t able to walk for now but hopefully, he will get better for the next game. Tells that the ball wasn’t doing that bit as the score suggests of the first inning and they have been lucky to restrict Dhaka to this score. Mentions that Dawid Malan hit some good shots right from the start and he just held up one end. Adds that they have done everything to make it to the top two in the points table and they still have one game that they want to win it.
Tanvir Islam is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant spell of bowling. He got injured on the last ball of the first innings and it will be the skipper, Tamim Iqbal to collect the award on his behalf.
The Presentation ceremony...
Thisara Perera, the captain of Dhaka Capitals is down for a quick chat. He says that as a team they are very disappointed and have to step up from here on much more. Adds that if we see the batting lineup, they shouldn't have batted like this. Further mentions that the pitch was very nice to bat on and they were happy to bat first as well. Mentions that 170 or 180 would have been a defendable total but as a batting unit they failed. Further mentions that the opposition batters batted without pressure and played their normal game. Concludes by saying that as a batting unit they have to step up!
Earlier in the game, Tamim Iqbal asked Dhaka Capitals to bat first on a track that had something in it for the pacers when starting under the lights. Fortune Barishal took full advantage of these conditions but it was the spinners who really ran riot. Mohammad Nabi and Tanvir Islam each picked up 3 wickets and so did Faheem Ashraf as they capped off a fine bowling display. The batting from the Capitals was underwhelming and one even has to question their attitude given how a few of them got out. In reply, Barishal managed to cruise through to the win and unlike Rangpur Riders who are losing grip of themselves, Barishal are peaking at the right time.
Not much to talk about Dhaka Capitals and their bowling tonight as their batters didn't even give them a chance. With hardly anything to defend, Mustafizur Rahman did give them an early breakthrough but the opposition came at them hard and the pacers, especially Ronsford Beaton was dispatched pretty easily and it got all over for the home side quite quickly.
Needing just 74 for the win, the Barishal openers started positively and it was Towhid Hridoy who got a couple of big hits away before getting out. Tamim Iqbal played a couple of delightful drives as well but it was Dawid Malan who came out and just hit the ball all across the ground and just played proper cricketing strokes. Tamim raked in a few more boundaries but Malan remained unbeaten on 37 off just 16 balls and sealed the win with a lovely cover drive. This is also the biggest win in the history of BPL in terms of balls-remaining.
A rollicking win for the in-form team and Fortune Barishal have guaranteed themselves that vital top-two finish and have all but sealed the top place in the points table as well. It was a five-star performance from start to finish and Barishal have made light work of a hapless Dhaka Capitals side here that too in front of the opposition's home fans.
In over# 7
4
0
4
Nazmul Islam 8/0(0.3)
6.3
4
FOUR! DAWID MALAN FINISHES IT OFF FOR THE BARISHAL! They have won this game easily and it is a top performance from the top team of the tournament! Tossed up again, outside off, Malan comes forward and drives it again wide of deep cover for another boundary. Fortune Barishal win by 9 wickets and have become the first team to get a place in the first Qualifier.
6.2
.
Floated up, around off and middle, Malan turns it towards mid-wicket.
6.1
4
FOUR! PURE ELEGANCE! Fortune Barishal are just a run away from the victory as the scores are on the level. Nazmul Islam tossed up, from over the wicket, outside off, Dawid Malan lunges and drives it to perfection wide of cover for a boundary. 50 partnership comes up for both these batters.
In over# 6
4
1
1
1
1
4
Mehedi Hasan Rana 23/0(2)
5.6
4
FOUR! DEFT TOUCH! Back of a length, outside off, medium pace, Tamim Iqbal draws forward and opens the face of the bat off late to guide it wide of short third man for a boundary. Fortune Barishal need just five runs now.
5.5
1
Back of a length, outside off, Malan dabs it in front of point and takes a single.
5.4
1
Full again, outside off, Tamim pushes it off the front foot to cover point for another single.
5.3
1
Goes fuller this time, around off, Malan gets it through the cue end towards extra cover for a single.
5.2
1
Good length, outside off, Tamim covers the line and steers it towards cover for a single.