Fortune Barishal kicked off their Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) campaign in style, securing a commanding seven-wicket victory over Durbar Rajshahi on Monday in Sylhet.
Captain Tamim Iqbal's unbeaten knock of 86 runs was the cornerstone of Barishal's successful chase of Rajshahi's 169-run target.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Rajshahi got off to a promising start. Openers Mohammad Haris and Jishan Alam added 30 runs in just 3.4 overs before Haris was dismissed for 22. Jishan Alam, who had struggled in earlier games, found his rhythm with a confident 38-run innings, featuring three fours and three sixes.
The middle-order pairing of Yasir Ali Rabbi and captain Anamul Haque Bijoy added a steady 48-run partnership off 35 balls, helping Rajshahi build a solid platform. Yasir contributed an aggressive 37 runs, striking two boundaries and three sixes, before his dismissal slowed the innings.
Despite having seven wickets in hand during the final five overs, Rajshahi managed only 35 runs, leaving them at a below-par total of 169. Captain Bijoy top-scored with a cautious 39 but couldn't accelerate when needed.
Shaheen Shah Afridi was the standout performer for Barishal, delivering a disciplined four-over spell that yielded two wickets for just 20 runs. His efforts, along with effective spells from the other bowlers, kept Rajshahi's total within reach.
In reply, Fortune Barishal displayed a clinical approach. Captain Tamim Iqbal anchored the innings with an unbeaten 86, demonstrating his trademark composure and skill. Tamim’s knock was the backbone of the chase, as he capitalized on loose deliveries while maintaining a steady scoring rate.
Barishal lost three wickets but never seemed under pressure, thanks to Tamim's commanding presence at the crease. His innings ensured a comfortable victory, with Barishal reaching the target with seven wickets in hand and overs to spare.
