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Caribbean all-rounder Kyle Mayers' all-round display led Tamim Iqbal's Fortune Barishal to their maiden Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) title win with a six-wicket win against Comilla Victorians in Dhaka on March 1. Comilla Victorians paid the price for sending Andre Russell to bat at no.8 as the target they set was chased down with six balls to spare.
Poor start from Victorians
Earlier, Iqbal won the toss and opted to field first. Mayers struck in the first over dismissing Sunil Narine. Towhid Hridoy (15) hit a few boundaries before becoming James Fuller's first victim in the final. In his next over, he dismissed Litton Das who scored 16 runs. Johnson Charles ended the powerplay overs with a maximum. Obed McCoy in his second over dismissed Charles (15) who faced too many dot balls. At the halfway stage, Comilla Victorians were 67/4.
Late Russell assault takes Victorians to par total
In the 12th over, Moeen Ali got run out. After a slow start, Mahidul Islam Ankon and Jaker Ali tried to accelerate. Ankon departed in the 17th over to Saifuddin after scoring 38 runs from 35 balls. Russell hit his first six in the 18th over. In the penultimate over, Russell smashed Fuller for three sixes. Saifuddin gave a few extras but did not concede a single boundary despite bowling a no ball. Comilla Victorians posted 154/6 on the board. Russell remained unbeaten for 14-ball 27. On the other end, Jaker managed to score 20 runs from 23 balls.
Fiery start to run chase
Fortune Barishal's run chase got off to an ideal start. Tanvir Islam conceded 11 extras in the first over. Mehidy Hasan Miraz targetted Rohanat Doullah Borson. In the next over, Iqbal hit Tanvir for two consecutive sixes. Miraz hit another six in the sixth over. Fortune Barishal were 59 for no loss after powerplay overs. Iqbal targetted Moeen and hit him for a six and two fours. But he could not carry on and got bowled for a 26-ball 39. Fortune Barishal openers shared a 76-run partnership. In his next over, he dismissed Miraz. The opener scored 29 runs from 26 balls. Fortune Barishal were 85/2 at the halfway stage.
Mayers makes the most of dropped catch
Moeen would have got another wicket but Mayers' catch was dropped. In the next over, he hit Mayers for two consecutive fours. In the 15th over, he smashed Russell for two sixes and two fours. In the 17th over, Mustafizur Rahman struck twice. Mayers scored 46 runs from 30 balls including five fours and a couple of sixes. Mushfiqur Rahim was dismissed for an 18-ball 13. David Miller and Mahmudullah played patiently and led Fortune Barishal to victory with six balls to spare.
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