Rangpur Riders have kept the hopes of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) final alive after beating a four-wicket win over Fortune Barishal in the eliminator game today at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Rangpur now will take on the loser of the first Qualifier between Sylhet Strikers and Comilla Victorians.

Being defeated, Shakib Al Hasan-led Fortune Barishal were eliminated from the race of final.

Thanks to Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who opened the innings, Barishal posted a challenging 170-3 but on a day when Shamim Patwari smashed a brilliant 51 ball-71, it mattered little, as Rangpur raced to the victory with three balls to spare, making 172-6. 

Rony Talukdar played another superb knock, hitting 29 off 17, studded with two fours and two sixes. The duo combined for a 61-run off just 39 balls to keep the side in the hunt. 

Shakib, Khaled and Kamrul Rabbi claimed two wickets each but couldn't save the side from the defeat.

After being asked to bat first, Barishal made a fluent start, with Mehidy looking in sublime touch. He hit nine fours and one six for his 69 and shared 46-run with Andre Fletcher for the opening stand. Fletcher made 12.

Mehidy also added 69-run with Mahmudullah Riyad for the second wicket stand to keep the side going. Dasun Shanaka who ended with 2-23, broke the partnership, removing Mahmudullah for 34.

Although Karim Janat with 33 not out and Bhanuka Rajapaksa with 17 not out helped the side post a challenging total, it proved insufficient finally.

BDST: 1921 HRS, FEB 12, 2023
MSK/SMS