CHATTOGRAM, Jan 22, 2025 (BSS)—Fortune Barishal made a giant stride toward the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) playoffs after securing a 7-run win over Khulna Tigers in a thrilling contest at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium today.

The victory put Barishal in the second place with 12 points from eight matches, while the defeat meant Khulna further downed to fifth place with six points from eight matches.

Barishal posted 167-9, riding on Veteran Mahmudullah Riyad’s patient 45 ball-50 and a rapid 19 ball-39 runs from Rishad Hossain. The bowlers then made the total winning one by restricting Khulna to 160-6, despite a valiant 77 off 59 from opener Naim Sheikh.

Naim indeed waged a lone battle amid the wickets tumbling around. His fellow opener Imrul Kayes got a second ball-duck as Khulna made a disastrous start to the chase.

Skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Naim then shared 59-run with the former playing a slow knock of 29 ball-33.

Mohammad Nabi removed Miraz and Rishad Hossain took the wicket of Alex Ross for 4, leaving Khulna at 74-3.

Khulna looked to bounce back in the game with Naim and Afif accelerating innings by playing with attacking mode. Jahandad Khan broke the partnership with the wicket of Afif who made 17 ball-27 after which Khulna were stifled for runs.

Naim who clobbered four fours and six sixes in his knock failed to come up with the terms in the death overs and was dismissed in the last over.

Jahandad Khan took 2-20 for Barishal while Nabi, Rishad, and Ripon Mondol picked up one wicket apiece.

Mahmudullah struck 45 ball-50, a knock laced with three fours and two sixes to help the side steady the innings after Barishal were reduced to 16-3 in third over.

Towhid Hridoy who opened the innings with Tamim Iqbal made 36 and added 47-run with Mahmudullah to resist the collapse.

Khulna captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz who took 3-35, gave Barishal a forgettable start, by dismissing Tamim Iqbal and Dawid Malan in consecutive deliveries. Both of the batters were removed for duck. To make the matter worse, Mushfiqur Rahim was trapped run out for 5.

As Hridoy looked to rebuild the innings with Mahmudullah, Miraz again struck to get the better of the former.

Mohammad Nabi and Fahim Ashraf also were dismissed for single digit figure to leave Barishal in further precarious state. Mahmudullah kept the one end intact to propel the side past 100.

Rishad Hossain then blasted a 19 ball-39 with five fours and one six to give the scoreboard  some respectability.

Salman Irshad took 2-19 to complement his captain Mehidy Miraz.