|| CF DESK ||

Fortune Barishal has defeated Durdanto Dhaka by 27 runs in match-31 of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram.

Alex Ross played a stunning 89 off 48 featuring five boundaries and seven sixes in a chase of 187 runs but it all went in vain as Dhaka suffered their ninth straight defeat in the BPL.

Ross played a valiant knock, single-handedly guiding Dhaka go past the 150-run mark and eventually reaching 159-8 in 20 overs. 

Apart from Mohammad Naim (10), Seam Williams (12), and Taskin Ahmed (10), none of the other batters managed to cross the double digits.

Khaled Ahmed and Mohammad Saifuddin each picked up three wickets for Barishal.

Earlier, Tamim Iqbal slammed a 45-ball 71 innings to propel Barishal to set a commanding total of 186-6 in the stipulated overs electing to bat first.

Ahmed Shehzad and Tamim got off to a flying start and amassed 76 runs for the opening partnership. Shehzad departed on 24 runs facing 22 balls stroking four boundaries. 

Tamim then added another 48-run partnership with Soumya Sarkar before getting out with a catch to Saif Hassan off Alauddin Babu. The medium-fast bowler also took the prized wicket of Mahmudullah Riyad who fell for 13 runs.

Mohammad Saifuddin blasted with 23 runs in six deliveries hitting two 4's and an equal number of 6's while Soumya scored a brief 28 runs in 23 which helped Barishal secure a strong total.

Alauddin scalped three wickets while Taskin took a couple of wickets and Shoriful got one for Dhaka.