Chattogram Kings delivered a commanding batting performance in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) final, setting a formidable 195-run target for Fortune Barishal at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday.
The Kings� openers laid a solid foundation with a blistering 121-run partnership in just 12.4 overs. Pakistan�s Khawaja Nafay led the charge with a 44-ball 66, smashing seven fours and three sixes before his dismissal. His opening partner, Parvez Hossain Emon, remained unbeaten on 78 off 49 balls. Although he reached his fifty in just 30 deliveries, he struggled to accelerate towards the end, finishing with six boundaries and four sixes.
England�s Graham Clark provided valuable support with an explosive 44 off 23 balls, striking three sixes and two fours despite battling a hamstring injury. His aggressive approach in the latter overs propelled Chattogram to a competitive total.
Barishal�s bowling attack struggled to contain the Kings� batters, with Tanvir Islam proving to be the most expensive, leaking 40 runs in just two overs. Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain conceded 26 runs in his two-over spell, while West Indies all-rounder Kyle Mayers remained wicketless, giving away 35 runs in his four overs.
Pakistan pacer Mohammad Ali emerged as the standout performer for Barishal, finishing with impressive figures of 4-0-21-1. He was particularly effective in the death overs, conceding only 10 runs in his final two overs. Ebadot Hossain also made an impact, taking the crucial wicket of Nafay while returning figures of 4-0-35-1.
With a challenging total on the board, Fortune Barishal now faces a tough chase in the high-stakes BPL final.
