The BPL 2024 featured a thrilling encounter as Barishal faced the already-qualified Rangpur at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.

In a gripping encounter, Rangpur clinched victory from the jaws of defeat, securing a win over Barishal with just one wicket to spare and three balls remaining.

Barishal, aiming to solidify their spot in the Qualifier round with a recent string of victories, entered the match with high stakes, needing a win to advance.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Barishal's captain Tamim Iqbal led from the front, displaying dominance over Rangpur's bowlers before falling to Shakib's delivery with a strike rate of 165.

Abu Haider, making a significant impact in his recent inclusion, starred for Rangpur with a superb bowling display, claiming five wickets for a mere 12 runs in four overs, dismantling Barishal's batting lineup including key players like Kyle Mayers, Mushfiqur Rahim, Soumya Sarkar, and Mahmudullah Riyad.

Despite Tamim's dismissal, Barishal continued to score briskly, with Kyle Mayers' aggressive 46 off 27 balls maintaining a high run rate.

Rangpur's captain made astute bowling changes, notably bringing on Abu Haider in the 13th over, which stifled Barishal's momentum. Barishal concluded their innings with a total of 151 runs for the loss of nine wickets.

The match drew a packed crowd at the Chattogram Zahur Ahmed Stadium, eagerly anticipating the showdown between Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal.

In their chase, Rangpur displayed unwavering determination, amassing 74 runs in just six overs despite losing two wickets early on. Contributions from Brendon King (45) and Shakib Al Hasan (29) propelled Rangpur towards victory.

Despite Barishal's resilient bowling effort, with Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Obed McCoy claiming three wickets each, the match went down to the wire, with a missed catch of Jimmy Neesham proving costly for Barishal. In the end, Rangpur emerged victorious, winning by four runs with five balls to spare, courtesy of Hasan Mahmud.

Following their defeat to Rangpur, Barishal's chances of qualifying for the next round have diminished. They now await the outcome of the match between Khulna and Chattogram on February 20th, with their final match against the Comilla Victorians scheduled for February 21st.