Dhaka, Feb 3, (V7N) – Defending champions Fortune Barishal will take on a red-hot Chittagong Kings in the Qualifier 1 of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Match Details
Date: Monday, February 3, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM BST
Venue: Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
The winner of this clash will secure a direct entry into the final, while the losing team will have another shot by facing the winner of the Eliminator—a game between Rangpur Riders and Khulna Tigers scheduled for 1:30 PM at the same venue.
Barishal’s Road to the Playoffs
Fortune Barishal, the table-toppers, dominated the group stage with 18 points, winning nine out of 12 matches. Despite their strong campaign, two of their three defeats came against Rangpur Riders, and one against Chittagong Kings in their last group-stage game.
Barishal had been second in the standings for most of the season, overshadowed by Rangpur Riders’ dominant eight-match winning streak. However, Rangpur suffered a shocking four-match losing streak towards the end, costing them a top-two finish.
Chittagong Kings’ Resurgence
Chittagong Kings’ journey to the playoffs has been remarkable. At one stage, their top-four qualification seemed uncertain. However, they staged an incredible comeback, winning crucial matches against Rangpur and Barishal in the final phase of the league.
Their most significant victory came in the last group-stage game, when they defeated Barishal by 24 runs, posting 206/4 and snapping their opponents' five-match winning streak. This result propelled them to the second spot, securing a place in Qualifier 1.
On paper, Fortune Barishal remain the favorites, given their consistent performances throughout the season. However, Chittagong Kings’ late surge and their recent victory over Barishal make this clash a tough contest.
END/SD/RH/
Comment: