Despite getting so close, Khulna Tigers fell short of seven runs against Chattogram Challengers, and they have been eliminated from the race.
On Monday, Chattogram set a tough target of 190 runs. Khulna failed to chase it down at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the Eliminator match of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
Chattogram will now take on the loser of the first Qualifier between Fortune Barishal and Comilla Victorians.
While chasing, Khulna lost Mahedi Hasan and Soumya Sarkar early. Mahedi posted two, and Soumya continued on a prolonged bad patch scoring only one.
In the first 4.1 overs, Khulna’s total passed 40 runs for two wickets. In the third wicket stand, Khulna added 64 runs riding on the solid stand by Andre Fletcher and Mushfiqur Rahim. They guided Khulna to get close to beating Chattogram.
But while facing a flatter delivery from Mahidy Hasan, who got the ball in that over after long discussion among the senior players of Chattogram, and Musfhiqur went for a late cut but only managed an edge to the wicketkeeper Akbar Ali who did the rest to remove well-set Mushfiqur for 43 off 29 with one four and four sixes.
Mushfiqur’s dismissal came as a huge setback for Khulna, but Yasir Ali kept guiding his team with some big shots off Mrittunjoy Chowdhury.
Off the last 12 balls, Khulna needed 24 runs, and the target came down to 18 runs off the last 11 after Yasir hitting a six off Shoriful Islam. But off the next ball, Yasir was removed by the same bowler. Khulna never were able to seal the match as Mehidy defended 16 in the last over.
Andre Fletcher remained not-out for 80 off 58 balls with six fours and four sixes while scoring 45 off 24 deliveries.
For Chattogram, Mehidy bagged two wickets while Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful and Mrittunjoy took one wicket each.
Earlier, Chattogram posted a challenging total of 189 for 5 in 20 overs. Chadwick Walton hit an unbeaten 89 with seven fours and as many as sixes while Kennar Lewis and Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored 39 and 36 respectively for Chattogram.
They lost Zakir Hasan and Afif Hossain early, but the other batter displayed some decent cricket to post a big total.
For Khulna, Khaled Ahmed bagged two wickets while Nabil Samad, Ruyel Miah and Mahedi Hasan took one wicket each.
The winner of this match will advance to the second Qualifier and will take on the loser of the first Qualifier which will be played between Fortune Barishal and Comilla Victorians this evening. And the loser of this match will be eliminated from the race.
BCB has allowed a small number of spectators in the play-off phase which included a total of four matches.
The final of this year’s BPL will take place on February 18 at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Source: United News of Bangladesh