Defending champs Fortune Barishal storm into BPL final with 9-wicket win over Chittagong Kings

Fortune Barishal defeated Chittagong Kings by nine wickets to storm into the BPL final with a dominant performance at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Monday.

Fortune Barishal's Pakistani pacer Mohammad Ali made a sensational impact with the ball towards the end, marking his Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) debut with a stunning five-wicket haul.

Earlier in the match, Kyle Mayers and Rishad Hossain also made significant contributions. Despite an early batting collapse, Chittagong Kings found some stability through Parvez Hossain Emon before Shamim Hossain Patwary launched an explosive innings. However, with little support from the other batters, Chittagong Kings could not post a formidable total. In response, Fortune Barishal comfortably chased down the target, courtesy of a composed innings from match-winner Towhid Hridoy and fluent batting from David Malan, securing their place in the final.

The reigning champions, Fortune Barishal, have now reached the final for the second consecutive season. Despite the defeat, Chittagong Kings will have another opportunity to secure a place in the final as they face Khulna Tigers, winners of the eliminator, in the second qualifier on 5 February.

After losing the toss and being sent in to bat first, Chittagong Kings struggled to put up a competitive total. Only Emon and Shamim managed to score significant runs, while the other seven batters failed to reach double digits. Thanks to Shamim's exceptional innings, Chittagong managed to post a total of 149/9.

In reply, Barishal's chase was calculated. While captain Tamim Iqbal adopted a cautious approach, Hridoy accelerated the scoring rate. However, Tamim could not convert his start into a substantial innings, departing for 29 off 26 balls, including four boundaries. He fell to a pull shot off Khaled Ahmed, caught by Khawaja Nafay at 55/1. Thereafter, Hridoy and Malan put together an unbeaten 95-run stand off 52 deliveries to guide Barishal home in 17.2 overs with 16 balls to spare.

After struggling for runs in recent matches, Hridoy delivered a dazzling performance, scoring an unbeaten 82 off 56 balls, laced with nine fours and two sixes – his first half-century of the tournament. Malan, who has been in excellent touch throughout the season, remained unbeaten on 34 off 22 deliveries, including two fours and a six. Khaled Ahmed was the only wicket-taker for Chittagong Kings.

For Chittagong Kings, Shamim was the standout performer, smashing 79 runs off 47 balls, including nine fours and four sixes. The only other batter to cross double figures was Emon, who contributed 36 off 36 balls, striking three fours and two sixes.

Mohammad Ali was the star with the ball for Barishal, delivering a fiery spell to claim 5 wickets for 24 runs in his 4 overs. Kyle Mayers also made an impact, picking up 2 wickets for 27 runs in 4 overs, while Ebadot Hossain and Rishad Hossain chipped in with one wicket each.

With this resounding victory, Fortune Barishal have booked their place in the final, while Chittagong Kings must regroup quickly for their last chance at redemption in the second qualifier against Khulna Tigers.