|| CF DESK ||

Fortune Barishal clinched a five-wicket win against Rangpur Riders in the ongoing BPL match-3 at Sher e Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur.

Tamim-led Barishal chased down the mediocre target of 135 with ease as Mahmudullah Riyad smashed a six to finish in style.

Skipper Tamim top-scored with 35 runs in 24 balls which featured five boundaries and a six. Shakib al Hasan was the pick of the bowling attack with two wickets and an economy rate of 4 in his four overs.

Having a good start to their innings Barishal roared toward their victory however, they found themselves in a spot of bother in the middle when they lost two quick wickets. 

Mohammad Nabi scalped the wicket of Tamim when he attempted to play down the wicket but missed the line of the delivery and was eventually stumped by the wicket-keeper and Hasan Murad got rid of Soumya Sarkar hindered Barishal's pace. 

Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mushfiqur tried to steady their innings until Hasan struck back to return Miraz (20) to the pavilion. Mushfiqur got castle when he tried sweep the arm-ball by Shakib on 26 runs.

Then Mahmudullah (19) and Shoaib Malik (17) ensured the first win of BPL for Barishal with five balls to spare. 

Earlier batting first, Rangpur Riders faced a tough challenge against Barishal's pacers as Mohammad Imran bowled opener Brandon King (0) in the very first delivery of the match.

Rangpur lost their other opener Rony Talukdar (5) in the second over with a catch to third man while attempting a boundary. 

Rangpur were slumped to 15-3 in 2 overs when Khaled axed all-rounder Shakib al Hasan for 2 runs. Then Azmatullah Omarzai and Nurul Hasan Sohan tried to stitch a partnership but soon ended by Dunith Wellalage.

Sohan joined hands with Shamim Patwary and helped the side cross the 50-run mark adding 34 runs for the sixth wicket stand until Shoaib Malik gave the breakthrough by dismissing Sohan on 23 off 23 and Shamim departed on 34. 

Miraz grabbed crucial wickets of top-scorer Shamim and Mohammad Nabi (10) in the middle thwarting Rangpur's batting line-up.

Mahedi contributed with a quickfire 29 off 19, propelling Rangpur to post 134-9 after 20 overs.