Tag: BPL 2024

MIRPUR: A tight bowling display, followed by Kyle Mayers’ 46 in the run chase powered Fortune Barishal to beat Comilla Victorians by six wickets and claimed their first-ever Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) title on Friday.

Put into bat first, the Victorians managed to pile 154/6 on the board despite Andre Russell’s late fireworks.

The Victorians had a dismal start to their innings in the BPL 2024 final as they lost three wickets inside the batting powerplay with just 42 runs on the board.

Wicketkeeper batter Mahidul Islam Ankon then partnered briefly with Johnson Charles (15) for an anchoring 23-run partnership.

But the Victorians then lost two more wickets in quick succession and consequently slipped to 79/5 in 11.5 overs.

Ankon then joined forces with Jaker Ali for an important 36-run partnership before finally perishing in the 17th over.

He remained the top-scorer for the Victorians with a 35-ball 38, laced up with two boundaries and two sixes.

Later, Russell bolstered the Victorians’ total with a belligerent 27-run cameo which came off just 14 deliveries and featured four sixes.

Ali, on the other hand, scored an unbeaten 20 off 23 deliveries, hitting two boundaries.

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James Fuller led the bowling attack for Fortune Barishal with 2/43, followed by Mohammad Saifuddin, Kyle Mayers and Obed McCoy, who picked one apiece.

Chasing 155, Fortune Barishal amassed 157 for the loss of four wickets and six balls to spare, courtesy of strong contributions from the top order.

Barishal openers Tamim Iqbal and Mehidy Hasan Miraz laid a solid foundation for the run chase with a 76-run partnership.

The opening stand lasted in the eighth over Moeen Ali castled Tamim on 39. His 26-ball knock featured three boundaries and as many sixes.

Miraz followed his opening partner an over later after scoring an anchoring 29 off 26 balls.

Following the back-to-back dismissals, Kyle Mayers took the reigns of Fortune Barishal’s run chase and put together a one-side partnership with Mushfiqur Rahim before both perished in the 17th over.

Mayers remained the top scorer for Barishal with 46 off 30 balls, hitting five boundaries and two sixes while Rahim made an 18-ball 13.

But their 59-run stand had already put Fortune Barishal in touching distance, needing a further 11 runs in 18 deliveries.

Mahmuduallah (seven) and David Miller (eight) combined for a sensible 13-run partnership and steered Fortune Barishal to their first BPL title.

For the Victorians, Moeen Ali and Mustafizur Rahman claimed two wickets each.

READ: Mir Hamza roped in by Glamorgan for County Championship

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) franchise Comilla Victorians retained right-arm Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah and roped in his companion Zaman Khan for the tenth edition of the marquee league.

Naseem Shah, who represented Comilla Victorians in the previous edition of the BPL, was retained by the franchise for the next edition, scheduled in 2024.

The right-arm pacer recently missed out on making a cut to Pakistan’s squad for the ICC World Cup 2023 due to a shoulder injury, which he sustained during the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023.

Naseem Shah was then subsequently ruled out of the Asia Cup remainder and was replaced by Zaman Khan.

Naseem Shah expressed his disappointment as he penned an emotional note on X, formerly Twitter.

“With a heavy heart, I’m sharing that I will not be part of this amazing team that will be representing our beloved country. While I’m disappointed, I believe everything is in Allah’s hands. InshahAllah will be on the field very soon,” Naseem said.

“Thank you to all my fans for the prayers,” he added.

With a heavy heart, I'm sharing that I will not be part of this amazing team that will be representing our beloved country. While I'm disappointed, I believe everything is in Allah's hands. InshahAllah will be on the field very soon.

Thank you to all my fans for the prayers!

— Naseem Shah (@iNaseemShah) September 22, 2023

Meanwhile, Comilla Victorians further strengthened their bowling attack by acquiring the services of Pakistan pace prodigy Zaman Khan.

Zaman, famous for his pinpoint yorkers and exceptional death bowling, has played 68 T20s in his blooming career so far, picking up 86 wickets at an average of 22.54 and with best figures of 4-16.

His consistent performances in the franchise leagues powered him to make his international debut for Pakistan during the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in March.

The right-arm pacer then made his ODI debut in the recently-concluded Asia Cup 2023 when Pakistan took on Sri Lanka in a must-win match to book their spot in the final.

Zaman Khan displayed character and almost pulled off a thrilling victory for Pakistan but Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka denied a dream start to his ODI career.

It is pertinent to mention that the BPL 2024 is anticipated to take place between January and February next year.

READ: Pakistan team awaits Indian visa to participate in ICC World Cup 2023