Barishal look to keep BPL final hopes alive

Fortune Barishal vowed to hit back to winning ways after two consecutive defeats in the last two matches as they take on Rangpur Riders in the eliminator game of the Bangladesh Premier League today at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

The knockout match starts at 1.30 PM and will be aired live on Nagorik Television.

The winner of the match will get another chance to give a shot at the final as they will take on the looser of the first Qualifier game between Sylhet Strikers and Comilla Victorians. But the looser of the eliminator game will be eliminated straightway.

Hence, no team could afford to lose the game. Both of the teams, however, came off a defeat but for Barishal, the situation looked gloomy as they lost two matches in a row after confirming the last four stage. Rangpur however lost their last game to Comilla Victorians, a defeat that forced them to play the Eliminator game. Beforehand, Rangpur won six matches in a row to move into the top four.

Shakib Al Hasan-led Barishal were consistent throughout the group phase, making them a strong contender to finish on top two positions but they failed to keep up the consistency in the later stages, largely due to Shakib’s off form with the willow.

Their batting lost its shine after the departure of Pakistan recruit Iftikhar Ahmed who gave them talismanic impetus in some matches to keep the side going. In a bid to bolster the batting, Barishal recruited Sri Lankan hard-hitter Bhanuka Rajapakse.