In a dramatic see-saw battle, Barishal held their nerve to secure a three-wicket victory over Chittagong on Friday (January 7), successfully defending their Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) title. With this win, they became only the third team in BPL history—after the Dhaka and Cumilla franchises—to claim back-to-back championships.
Captain Tamim Iqbal played a pivotal role in the chase, hammering a blistering 54 off just 29 balls. His innings set the tone for Barishal as they overhauled Chittagong’s challenging 194/3, completing the highest successful chase in a BPL final with three balls to spare. The match was sealed when Hussain Talat bowled a decisive wide, sparking celebrations among Barishal’s passionate supporters.
A Final to Remember
Chittagong’s innings was anchored by impressive half-centuries from openers Parvez Hossain Emon (78* off 49) and Khawja Nafay (66 off 44), who combined for a record 121-run opening stand. Despite a promising start, Chittagong’s middle overs slowdown—where they managed just 85 runs in nine overs—ultimately left them short of a 200-plus total. Their innings regained momentum late, adding 51 runs in the final five overs, but the damage had already been done.
Barishal’s response began with a rapid 76-run stand between Tamim and Towhid Hridoy before Shoriful Islam (4/34) struck twice in an over to give Chittagong hope. Despite further breakthroughs, Kyle Mayers’ explosive 28-ball 43 and crucial late hits from Rishad Hossain tilted the balance back in Barishal’s favor.
With eight runs needed off the final over, Rishad hammered the first ball for a six before taking a single, leaving the scores level. The decisive moment arrived when Talat’s wide delivery handed Barishal their second straight title, sending their fans into rapturous celebrations.
Tamim’s Final Game Brilliance Continues
Known for delivering on the biggest stage, Tamim once again rose to the occasion. Having previously powered Comilla Victorians to the 2019 title with a breathtaking 141* off 61 balls, his latest captain’s knock further cemented his legacy in BPL history. With this triumph, he became only the third captain—after Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Imrul Kayes—to win consecutive BPL trophies.
Barishal’s victory not only reaffirmed their dominance but also provided a thrilling conclusion to the BPL season, leaving fans eager for more.
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