DHAKA, Jan 21, 2022 (BSS)- Fortune Barishal made a good start to the

eighth edition of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), edging Chattogram
Challengers past by four wickets in a low-scoring affair at the Sher-e-Bangla
National Cricket Stadium.

   While there was huge cry for runs to make BPL entertaining, it was not
materialized totally as both the teams struggled in batting in the opening
game of the country's most glamorous tournament.

   The Mirpur wicket was typically slow and low and Barishal captain Shakib
Al Hasan didn't hesitate to put Chattogram into batting once he won the toss.

   Chattogram were restricted to 125-8 and Barishal also huffed and puffed on
their way to victory as they made 126-6.

   Chattogram captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz ended with envious figure of 4-0-16-
4 but his four wickets haul couldn't make any difference.

   Opener Shykat Ali was the highest scorer for Barishal with 39 off 35,
hitting one four and two sixes. Shykat kept the side's nose ahead once Miraz
took the wicket of Najmul Hossain Shanto (1) and Shakib Al Hasan in quick
succession.

   Towhid Hridoy and Irfan Shukkur scored identical 16 runs to give Shykat
some support. Miraz however removed Shukkur and Shykat in his second spell to
get the side back into the track.

   But Dwayne Bravo (12 not out) and Ziaur Rahman (19 not out) batted with
calculated aggression to sail the side home.

   Earlier, Benny Howell propelled Chattogram past 100 runs mark with his
ultra-aggressive batting. He blasted 41 off 20 with three fours and as many
sixes and his knock came at the moment when Chattogram's innings needed an
impetus following a disastrous start. Opener Will Jacks was the other notable
scorer with 16 while Naeem Islam made 15.

   Barishal's West Indian pacer Alzarri Joseph claimed 3-32 while Nayeem
Hasan scalped 2-25. Shakib though got one wicket, he gave away just nine runs
in his four overs.