"Shakib's Rangpur was defeated by Tamim's Fortune Barisal by five wickets in the third match of the tenth BPL. Batter of the Barisal club comfortably scored the 135 runs needed to win."."

 

In a thrilling clash in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Fortune Barisal displayed a tactical edge by winning the toss against Rangpur Riders on Saturday January 20, with a fielding decision. Early on, the decision proved to be shrewd as Muhammad Imran and Khaled Ahmed put on a brilliant performance, sending Rangpur Riders' formidable trio of Branden King, Ronnie Talukder and Shakib Al Hasan back to the pavilion.

 

Despite the early setback, Rangpur Riders managed to post a challenging total of 134 for 9, led by Shamim Patwari's 34 and Sheikh Mahdi's explosive 29. Khaled Hasan was on fire with the ball, claiming 4 crucial wickets and Mehdi Hasan contributed 2 dismissals.

 

Tamim Iqbal's return to cricket after a long absence sparked excitement as he showcased his skills, leading Barisal to 51 for the loss of just one wicket in the power play.

 

Shakib Al Hasan, who was occupied with the elections, couldn't have a significant impact by getting back to the field during the BPL. Khaled Ahmed sent him back to the pavilion after scoring only two runs.

 

Barisal was under pressure due to consistent fall of wickets in the middle overs. Still, the team found stability through Mahmudullah Riyad and Swaab Akhtar. Riyad's unbeaten 19 off 11 balls proved crucial and Barisal won by 5 wickets. Tamim Iqbal, the captain, opened with a promising innings of 35 runs off 24 balls, chasing a target of 135 runs which gave the team great momentum.

 

Contributions from Miraj (20), Musir (26) and Malik (17) strengthened Barisal's aim to win. Shakib Al Hasan showcased his all-round skills, delivering a superb performance with the ball, taking 2 wickets for 16 runs in his 4 overs. Rangpur's bowling attack was supported by Murad and Nabi, who claimed two and one wicket(s) respectively.

 

The match unfolded as a thrilling display of cricketing prowess, with Barisal emerging victorious, displaying an admirable team effort and resilience in the face of challenge.In this game, Fortune Barisal demonstrated their power, emerging as the victors by showcasing an impressive collaborative performance and unwavering determination in the midst of difficulties.