Dhaka: England recruit Dawid Malan smashed a 37 ball-63 as Fortune Barishal beat Khulna Tigers by five wickets in their Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today. Thanks to Malan’s knock, which included eight fours and three sixes, Barishal successfully chased Khulna’s 187-5 with five balls remaining.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, opener Naim Sheikh hammered a 27 ball-51, allowing Khulna Tigers to compile a respectable total. However, it was insufficient to secure a victory to bolster their playoff chances. Malan joined Tamim Iqbal after the fall of Towhid Hridoy, who made 11, as they shared a 91-run partnership for the second wicket, setting the stage to easily overhaul the large total.
Tamim scored 27 off 25 balls before being dismissed by Salman Irshad. Malan soon followed him, as Afif Hossain had him caught by Naim, but by then, he had ensured that the team would manage the required run rate effectively. Two veterans, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad, who both scored 24, calmly guided the side closer to victory before Fahim Ashraf (18) and Mohammad Nabi (15) finished the game without any trouble.
Earlier, while Naim’s start was pivotal, Mahidul Islam Ankon provided the finishing touch with an unbeaten 27 off 12 balls, hitting two fours and three sixes to help Khulna amass a challenging total. Naim and skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz shared a 47-run opening stand after being put in to bat first.
Fast bowler Ebadot Hossain broke through with the wicket of Miraz, who made 29 off 18, but Naim, supported by Alex Ross, kept the scoreboard ticking. After reaching his seventh BPL fifty with a towering six, Fahim Ashraf dismissed him, breaking the dangerous partnership. Naim’s innings included five fours and three sixes.
Barishal bowlers regrouped well to restrict Khulna’s runs, even though Afif contributed significantly. Just as Afif seemed ready to accelerate, Fahim Ashraf dismissed him after he added 32 off 27. However, Ankon’s clean hitting helped the side nearing the 200 mark.