Fortune Barishal has officially booked their spot in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025 final after cruising to victory over Chittagong Kings by nine wickets during the first qualifier held at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Despite facing initial pressure, Barishal leaned heavily on the standout performances of Towhid Hridoy and Mohammad Ali, who were instrumental in the team’s success. Hridoy’s explosive knock of 82 runs off just 56 balls not only anchored the innings but also put the Kings’ bowlers to the sword. Meanwhile, Ali’s remarkable bowling display claimed five wickets for just 24 runs, restricting Chittagong to 149 runs.
The match unfolded dramatically after Chittagong Kings won the toss and opted to bat first. Unfortunately for them, their innings started dismally as they lost key wickets early on. Within the first few overs, they found themselves struggling at 14 for two, with opener Khawaja Nafay (4) and Graham Clark (6) both returning to the pavilion quickly, dismissed by Barishal’s Kyle Mayers.
Further compounding their woes, captain Mohammad Mithun (1) and middle-order batsman Haider Ali (7) fell to the exceptional bowling of Ali and Ebadot Hossain, leaving Chittagong at 34 for four. The situation looked dire until young talents Parvez Hossain Emon and Shamim Hossain stepped up, forming a steadfast 77-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Shamim was particularly impressive, eventually scoring 79 runs off 47 balls, featuring nine fours and four sixes, propelling Chittagong to 149-9. Their innings was marred by Ali’s stunning performance, as he effectively dismantled the tail, taking four wickets within the same over.
When it came time for Barishal to chase, they began with caution as captain Tamim Iqbal—who made 29 runs off 26 balls—joined forces with Hridoy to forge a promising 55-run opening stand, laying the groundwork for their successful pursuit of the target. Tamim's dismissal came just before the 10-over mark, caught off Khaled Ahmed.
Once Tamim was gone, Hridoy took charge of the innings, delivering a masterclass performance. His innings was marked by aggressive batting, and he reached his half-century with ease before accelerating significantly toward the end. He scored 82 not out, including nine boundaries and two sixes, showcasing not only his technical abilities but also his prime role as a match-winner.
Dawid Malan chipped in with valuable support, contributing 34 runs off 22 balls, including two fours and one six. The pair put together an unbeaten partnership of 95 runs off just 52 pitches faced, sealing the victory for Barishal at 150 runs for the loss of just one wicket, completed in merely 17.2 overs.
Though Chittagong Kings fought valiantly, their efforts fell short, leaving them to regroup for the second qualifier against Khulna Tigers, where they will have one final opportunity to fight for the title.
Looking at the impressive display from Barishal, the defending champions remain confident as they prepare for the final, having demonstrated exceptional form and depth across both their batting and bowling units.
With the BPL title on the line, fans eagerly await Barishal's next encounter, hoping to see them lift the trophy once again.