Malik stars as Barishal hand Khulna first defeat in BPL

Shoaib Malik came up with a stellar all-round performance as Fortune Barishal snapped Khulna Tigers' winning streak in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) by handing them a five-wicket defeat at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Malik who rejoined the side after leaving Khulna abruptly following the first three matches amid his 'no-ball' criticism against the same opponent, took 2-24 and then blasted a 24 ball-41 not out to steer the side to the home in emphatic fashion.

The five-wicket victory, courtesy of Malik, also helped the side take revenge for their eight-wicket defeat to Khulna in the two side's first meeting in Dhaka.

Put into bat first, Khulna which won the past four matches in style, posted 155-8 after recovering from 88-7.

They were the favourite for their fifth straight victory by taking wickets at regular intervals but Malik provided the late impetus with a whirlwind knock that included one four and three sixes as Barishal eased to the victory with two balls to spare.

He was ably supported by Mehidy Hasan Miraz who blasted 31 not out off 15, an innings also laced with one four and three sixes.

After scoring 67 runs in the last four overs, thanks to two Pakistan recruits Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf, which helped them propel past the 150-run mark, from 88-7 in 16 overs, Khulna got the breakthrough in the second over, when Nahidul Islam removed Ahmed Shehzad for a duck.

Faheem Ashraf further troubled Barishal by claiming the wicket of skipper Tamim Iqbal who made 20 off 18.

Soumya Sarkar (26) and Mushfiqur Rahim (27) played two knocks, with a strike rate of little over 100 but none of them converted it to a big knock, which eventually put the side in danger of another defeat.

The situation worsened when Faheem Ashraf got the better of Mahmudullah Riyad for 4 with Barishal slumping to 101-5 in the 16th over.

But Malik and Miraz successfully picked up the required 55 runs off 24 balls, demonstrating a show of clean hitting.

Faheem Ashraf was the best bowler for Khulna with 3-18 and he also contributed 13 ball-32 not out with five fours and one six with the willow. Nawaz made the team-best 38 not out of 23, slamming four sixes.

Malik derailed Khulna's innings after Akif Javed got rid of captain Anamul Haque Bijoy (12). Malik dealt a double strike, taking the key wicket of Parvez Hossain Emon (33off 24) who looked to be in supreme touch after opening the innings and then gave Afif Hossain a duck in the next delivery.

Taijul Islam who took 2-7 ripped through the middle order before Nawaz and Ashraf helped the side post a challenging total.

/KN/