Sports Desk:

Fortune Barishal clinched their second Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) title in two years, after defeating Chittagong Kings by 3 wickets, in the final at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Friday (February 7).

Chasing a challenging target of 195, Barishal secured the championship with 3 balls to spare. Rishad Hossain scored 18 of just 6 balls to steer his team to the finish line.

Barishal started quickly as Tamim Iqbal and Towhid Hridoy rapidly added runs to the total. The opening partnership scored 76 in 8.1 overs.

Tamim fell to Shoriful Islam after scoring a quickfire 54 off 29 balls. He hit 1 six and 9 fours.

Barishal lost two quick wickets after that, as Hridoy fell for 32 off 28 to Naeem Islam and Dawid Malan was trapped LBW by Shoriful for 1.

West Indian all-rounder Kyle Myers kept the asking rate in check for Barishal and battered 46 off 28 balls. His innings included 3 sixes and 3 fours.

Chittagong came back strongly in the match in the 18th over, where Shoriful picked both Myers and Mahmudullah (7).

Barishal needed 8 from the last 6 balls and Rishad made his mark. The final over was bowled by Hussain Talat. Rishad smashed a six on the first ball, leaving only formalities. A single on the next delivery, followed by a wide from Talat, sealed the match.

For Chittagong Kings, Shoriful Islam was the standout bowler, claiming 4 wickets for 34 runs, while Naeem Islam chipped in with two scalps.

Earlier, Chittagong Kings posted a challenging total of 194/3, after losing the toss and asked to bat first by Barishal skipper Tamim Iqbal.

Chittagong’s openers got off to a fast start, adding 57 runs in the powerplay without losing wickets.

Parvez Hossain Emon and Khwaja Nafay batted aggressively, helping the Kings reach 100 runs in just 11 overs. Parvez brought up his fifty off 30 balls, while Nafay was slightly slower, reaching the milestone in 37 balls.

The pair added 100 runs in 76 balls before Nafay was dismissed by Ebadat Hossain. The Pakistani batter scored 66 off 44 balls, including 7 fours and 3 sixes.

After losing his partner, Parvez continued the onslaught, adding another 70 runs in just 40 balls with Graham Clark.

Clark was run out in the final over after scoring a quick 44 off 23 balls, which included 3 sixes and 2 fours.

Parvez remained unbeaten at 78 off 49 balls. His innings included 4 sixes and 6 fours.

For Barishal, Ebadat Hossain and Mohammad Ali took one wicket each.