Barishal survive Naim’s onslaught to seal sixth BPL victory

Mohammad Naim kept Khulna Tigers' hopes alive until the final over, but Fortune Barishal held their nerve to secure a seven-run victory, marking their sixth win in this year's BPL.

Naim began cautiously, his innings appearing laboured at times, but he built a crucial 59-run partnership with Mehedi Hasan Miraz. Miraz looked promising on 33 before he perished at deep mid-wicket, attempting to accelerate the scoring.

Afif Hossain injected energy into Khulna's chase of Barishal's 167 with a quickfire 27 off 17 balls. The Afif-Naim partnership added 55 runs off just 27 deliveries, keeping the contest finely balanced.

Afif's dismissal in the 18th over, caught behind off Jahandad Khan, provided Barishal with some relief as Khulna edged closer to the target. Shortly after, a brilliant pick-up and throw by Rishad Hossain saw Mahidul Ankon (1) run out.

With 35 needed off the final two overs, Faheem Ashraf delivered an excellent penultimate over, conceding just 10 runs and leaving Khulna requiring an improbable 25 runs from the last six balls.

Despite Naim making it interesting with back-to-back sixes off Ripon Mondol in the final over, his attempt to scoop a fine-leg delivery earlier in the over had failed. Dawid Malan, who had earlier dropped Afif, redeemed himself with a stunning diving catch at third man to dismiss Naim for a gritty 59-ball 77.

With 13 needed off three deliveries, Naim's departure sealed Khulna's fate as they fell short by seven runs. Jahandad Khan was the pick of the Barishal bowlers, taking 2 for 20 in his four overs.

Earlier, Barishal's innings had started disastrously. Tamim Iqbal was trapped lbw by the first ball he faced, and Dawid Malan was bowled the very next delivery, both dismissals coming off Mehedi Hasan Miraz's arm balls. Tamim had no hesitation in accepting the umpire's decision, while Malan's stumps were rattled as he failed to handle the skid.

At 1 for 2 after three deliveries, and with Mushfiqur Rahim run out for five in the third over, Barishal were in dire straits. Their recovery was largely due to the composed innings of Mahmudullah Riyad.

Riyad anchored the innings, while opener Towhid Hridoy sought to play aggressively. Hridoy scored 36 off 30 balls before falling as Miraz's third victim. When Mohammad Nabi was dismissed in the 11th over, Barishal seemed in danger of a total collapse.

Mahmudullah, however, showcased his experience, accelerating with back-to-back boundaries off Miraz and completing a well-paced 45-ball 50. He was eventually caught at long-on off Ziaur Rahman. Barishal's lower-order contributions, particularly Rishad's explosive 39 off 19 balls and late cameos from Tanvir Islam (12 off 4) and Jahandad Khan (10 off 5), propelled them to a competitive total of 167 for 9.