DHAKA, Jan 31, 2022 (BSS) - Shakib Al Hasan came up with sterling

allround performance as Fortune Barishal edged Khulna Tigers past by 6
runs in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) today at Zahur Ahmed
Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.

   With the willow, Shakib, the captain of Barishal struck 27 ball-41,
hitting two fours and three sixes and followed up it with 2-10 that
broke the spine of Khulna when they came to chase down the target.

   Nazmul Hossain Shanto also played his part with 40 ball-45 as
Barishal were bowled out for a moderate 145 in 18.5 overs. Despite
having a awful start, Khulna finally were able to sense to a victory
before being restricted to 139-6.

   After electing to bat first, Shakib's gamble to send Dwayne Bravo
as opener along with Chris Gayle didn't pay off after the former was
out for 9. Soon after his dismissal, Gayle was also dismissed for 4
and the situation got worsened when Towhid Hridoy was run out for 5,
leaving Khulna to 24-3.

   Shakib and Shanto then combined for a 79-run partnership to help
the side hit back. Shakib sensed a fifty after a long time but Kamrul
Islam Rabbi had him caught by Yasir Ali at midwicket after he tried to
play a pull shot.

   Shanto then followed him after clobbering three fours and two sixes
for his 45.

   No batters however couldn't come up with fierce batting at the
death, leaving Barishal at least 20 runs short of their desired total.

   But that mattered little as offspinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman and
left-arm spinner Shakib bowled in disciplined manner to curb the
Khulna batters' flamboyance. Both of them hardly gave Khulna batters a
chance to score freely.

   Shakib removed Soumya Sarkar (12) and Rony Talukdar (6) to finish
with 2-10. Mujeeb though didn't get any wicket, he conceded just 13
runs in his four overs. Shakib and Mujeeb's tight bowling helped
Dwayne Bravo to get two wickets more, that reduced Khulna to 35-4 in
10 overs.

   Mushfiqur Rahim and Yasir Ali Rabbi then counterattacked in style
but the asking run rate had already climbed up alarmingly. They almost
took Khulna closer but a dismissal of Mushfiqur in the penultimate
over after scoring 33 off 22 dashed their hopes.

   Yasir Ali who was unbeaten on 34 ball-57 with four fours and three
sixes fought hard but couldn't sail the side home as Barishal fielders
also came up with some stunning fielding effort. Bravo however ended
with 3-40.

   The victory took Barishal in third position as they collected six
points from five matches. Khulna are at fifth place with four points
from same number of matches.