Dutch-Bangla Bank BPL T20- 2025 | Fortune Barishal vs Sylhet Strikers. Photo: Bangladesh Cricket Facebook page

DHAKA, Jan 26, 2025 (BSS)- Fortune Barishal became the second team after 
Rangpur Riders to confirm the playoffs of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 
after securing an eight-wicket win over Sylhet Strikes at Sher-e-Bangla 
National Cricket Stadium today.

Pakistan recruit Fahim Ashraf and captain Tamim Iqbal were instrumental in 
the facile victory that helped them retain the second spot with seven wins 
from nine matches. Rangpur Riders continue to top the table.

Fahim Ashraf claimed five wickets for just seven runs after bowling 3.1 overs 
as Barishal skittled Sylhet out for just 116 in 18.1 overs. Tamim Iqbal then 
powered the side to the victory in just 16 overs, hammering 51 ball-52.

He hit the winning boundary that steered the side to 120-2 and also confirmed 
his 54th half-century in T20s.

Despite being promoted to the opening spot, Towhid Hridoy failed to regain 
his form as he was dismissed for just 6 and Dawin Malan followed him with 9, 
leaving Barishal 39-2 after the first powerplay.

Tamim Iqbal steadied the innings with typically calm fashion, ably supported 
by Mushfiqur Rahim. They added 81 runs for the unbeaten third wickets to help 
the side cruise to the victory with Mushfiqur hitting 30 ball-42 not out with 
four fours and one six.

A victory in the match, could keep Sylhet's playoffs hopes mathematically 
alive if they win the game but they put another horrendous performance to be 
out for paltry total. The defeat further languished them at bottom table and 
ended their all hopes of playing the playoffs.

After electing to bat first, most of their batters played wretched shots to 
script their own downfall. The top three batters that included the likes of 
George Munsey, Rony Ralukdar and Zakir Hasan were dismissed in single digit 
figure, leaving the side at 34-3 and the situation further worsened when 
their new foreign recruit Kadeem Alleyne was out for two ball-duck in his 
first outing for the franchise.

Another new recruit Ahsan Bhatti took some responsibility amid the carnage of 
Fahim Ashraf to make team-high 29.

Fahim, however, ripped through middle order with his gentle medium pace 
bowling, denying Sylhet batters to make a rebuilding job after the top order 
faltered. 

Nonetheless, Jaker Ali Anik put some resistance with 19 ball-24 that helped 
the side go past the 100-run mark.

Mohammad Nabi and James Fuller took two wickets apiece to complement Fahim 
Ashraf's five-wicket haul.