In the 18th match of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Fortune Barishal registered a thumping 67-run victory over Rangpur Riders at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on January 19 (Thursday). Pakistan's middle-order batter Iftikhar Ahmed pulverised Rangpur bowlers along with his captain Shakib Al Hasan. Iftikhar smashed a thunderous century that blew the opposition out of the game. In his 45-ball unbeaten 100, the muscular right-handed batter smashed six fours and nine sixes while registering a sensational strike rate of 222.22.
Shakib couldn't score a ton himself but his knock of 89 not out in 43 balls with the help of nine fours and six sixes was equally entertaining to watch. The star Bangladesh all-rounder batter with a phenomenal strike rate of 206.98.
From 46/4 to 238/4
After Rangpur Riders asked Fortune Barishal to bat first, the latter was staring at a major collapse with the top-order batter succumbing without even putting a firm resistance. Ibrahim Zadran and Mahmudullah registered ducks, leaving the team tottering at 46/3. When Iftikhar joined forces with Shakib in the middle, the momentum completely changed in favour of Fortune Barishal. The duo combined for an unbeaten alliance of 192 runs, including 15 sixes and as many fours. As a result, Fortune Barishal notched a mammoth total of 238/4 in 20 overs.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz leads with the ball
Chasing down a target of 239 runs was never going to be easy and Rangpur Riders didn't do themselves any favour either. Rangpur batters failed to register even a single noteworthy partnership as Barishal bowlers kept chipping away at the wickets column. Shamim Hossain, who came out to bat at number eight, was the highest scorer for Rangpur with 44 runs off 24 balls. He also smashed three fours and four sixes.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the pick of all bowlers as he finished with figures of 26/3 in four overs. Ebadot Hossain and Kamrul Islam bagged two wickets each as Fortune Barishal restricted Rangpur Riders to 171/9 in 20 overs.
