Image Credit- BCB
Good fortune Barishal defeated the formidable Comilla
Victorians by a commanding six-wicket margin, raising their first BPL trophy
high above the Mirpur din. They had a significant lead thanks to Barishal’s
bowling, and they were able to easily chase down the 155 target with the aid of
captain Tamim Iqbal and Kyle Mayers.
It took a unique effort to stop Comilla, who had won the BPL championship a
record four times, including the last two years. After Mayers struck in the
first over, James Fuller used the ball well, taking two vital wickets. In their
eight overs, Taijul Islam and Obed McCoy also exerted control, limiting Comilla
to 154 for 6.
In response, Tamim’s 26-ball 39 amused the crowded Shere Bangla National
Stadium. Following Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s six over square leg against Rohanat
Doullah Borson, Tamim blasted Tanvir Islam for two straight sixes to take the
lead in the tournament’s top scorer. After Tamim matched Miraz to hit his
second six off Sunil Narine, Tamim sank Moeen Ali for two fours and a six. Not
before he and Mehidy had put up 76 runs for the first wicket, he fell later in
the same over.
Mayers was the one who had to get Barishal closer to the trophy. He hit two
sixes and five fours off Andre Russell, who was bowled out for 21 in the
fifteenth over. Mayers finished with 46 off 30 balls after grabbing 20 of
those.
In the last moments, Comilla committed many fielding
mistakes that resulted in catches being lost. In the 19th over, Barishal was
finally brought home by Mahmudullah and David Miller.
Sunil Narine had an early start in life when Comilla was ordered to bat first.
He was dropped by Obed McCoy at third man, but he recovered later in the over.
Narine swung one off his hips, but McCoy finished a wonderful catch at short
fine-leg by diving to his left.
When Fuller pulled Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy in back-to-back overs on the
powerplay, he increased the pressure. Johnson Charles was soon eliminated by
McCoy, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s direct hit from point blank ended Moeen Ali’s
run.
Mahidul Islam Ankon and Jaker Ali kept Comilla
chugging along in the middle overs but their 36 runs for the sixth wicket took
up 29 balls. It was priceless for Barishal who could keep Andre Russell in the
dressing room for a longer time.