Mayers helps Barishal lift first BPL title

DHAKA, Bangladesh (CMC):

A Player-of-the-Match performance from ambidextrous West Indies all-rounder Kyle Mayers enabled Fortune Barishal to clinch their maiden Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) title with a six-wicket win against two-time winners Comilla Victorians yesterday.

Chasing 155 to win, the Barbadian all-rounder led the way with 46 off 30 balls laced with five fours and two sixes to guide Barishal to victory, while their captain Tamim Iqbal supported with 39 off 26 balls that made him a shoo- in for the Player of the Tournament in the final at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

After Comilla ended on a moderate 154 for six, Tamim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz got Barishal off to a flying start.

Barishal were 59 without loss at the close of the Power Play and the openers put on 76 for the first wicket before globetrotting England off-spinner Moeen Ali bowled Tamim with the final ball of the eighth over.

Moeen struck in his next over when he got Mehidy caught by West Indies batsman Johnson Charles inside the long-on boundary for 26, and Barishal were 82 for two in 10th over.

Mayers survived two dropped chances on eight and 20 by Rishad Hossain and Charles respectively and shared a pivotal partnership of 59 for the third wicket with long-serving Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim to ensure that they did not lose their way.

Both fell in the 17th over to left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman, but Barishal required 11 from the remaining three overs, and the rest of the work was completed by Mahmudullah Riyad and South African David Miller.

Earlier, Mayers set back Comilla early when he got retired West Indies mystery spinner Sunil Narine caught at short fine leg for five in the in the first over.

POWER PLAY

Comilla sank to 49 for three at the end of the Power Play after English pacer James Fuller got the duo of Towhid Hridoy and Liton Das both caught at third man for 15 and 16 respectively in consecutive overs.

West Indies left-arm pacer Obed McCoy further dented Comilla when he got Johnson Charles caught at mid-off for 15 before the situation worsened when Moeen Ali was run out for three after a mix-up with Mahidul Islam Ankon.

Comilla were 79 for five in the 12th over, and Ankon scored 38 off 25 balls and combined to add 36 for the sixth wicket with Jaker Ali Anik in the highest partnership for their side.

Ankon was bowled by Mohammad Saifuddin in the 17th over, but globetrotting West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell then Comilla passed the 150-run mark with 27 not out off 14 balls that included four sixes.