Fortune Barishal became the first team to book a place in the final of the ongoing Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League as they beat Comilla Victorians by 10 runs in the first qualifier in Dhaka on Monday.
In the eliminator match earlier in the day, Chattogram Challengers beat Khulna Tigers by seven runs in a nerve-wracking affair to reach the second qualifier, where they will face Comilla.
In the qualifier, Barishal managed only 143-8 but Comilla made it difficult for themselves as Liton Das and Mahmudul Hasan Joy took 64 balls to score 62 runs for the opening stand. Moeen Ali gave them a thrust and it looked like Faf Du Plessis would take them over the line, but some brilliant death bowling meant Comilla ended on 133-7.
Batting first, Barishal managed a good start but could not continue as they lost both the openers Chris Gayle and Munim Shahriar in the space of 18 balls.
Gayle went after scoring 22 runs from 19 balls, while Munim continued his impressive form but fell six runs short of his half-century as he was out LBW off Tanvir Islam.
The departure of Munim removed the keystone, and Barishal lost three quick wickets, which put Comilla in control.
Shakib Al Hasan, player of the match in his last five matches, made a suicidal move and got out for only one run. He ran to the bowler's end even after seeing that Najmul Hossain Shanto was not responding to his call. Both the batsmen ended up at the non-striker's end, and Shakib was out as Mahidul dislodged the bells comfortably.
Najmul got himself out after trying to cut a delivery from Moeen Ali. Dwayne Bravo was out for 17 runs in 21 balls as Barishal ended on 143-8.
In reply, after Liton and Joy’s slow start, Moeen’s 22 off 15 deliveries took them close to their target. And with Du Plessis and Narine at the crease, Comilla were looking set for a final berth.
But some brilliant death bowling from the Barishal bowlers, especially Mehedi Hasan Rana, saw Comilla only manage – while they needed 46.
Rana, in his two overs in the death, gave away just seven runs and dismissed Du Plessis. Mujeeb-ur-Rahman then defended 18 in the final over to send Barishal to the final.
