Bowlers, Yasir Ali help Beximco Dhaka win Eliminator, stay alive in Bangabandhu T20 Cup

Beximco Dhaka kept their hopes of making it to the final of the Bangabandhu T20 Cup alive with a nine-run win over Fortune Barisal in the eliminator face-off in Dhaka on Monday afternoon. Left-arm quick Shafiqul Islam produced three key wickets to hand Dhaka the advantage at different points during the Barishal chase of 151 - thanks to Yasir Ali's 54 in the Dhaka innings - before Muktar Ali closed out the game with a good last over in which he conceded ten runs and picked up two wickets.

Barishal had only got their teeth into the contest only in the 13th over when Afif Hossain struck Nasum Ahmed for two sixes. Suddenly, there were fielding lapses - including a missed run-out and an overthrow - as Afif and Towhid Hridoy gave Barishal hope.

But, again, in the space of eight deliveries, the tide turned again as Barishal lost three wickets. Mohammad Al-Amin, who had earlier missed a clear run-out chance, made amends by getting Hridoy bowled for 12, before getting Sohrawordi Shuvo lbw next ball.

In the next over, shortly after reaching his half-century, Afif mistimed a scoop to be caught by Mushfiqur Rahim. The increasingly exasperated Dhaka captain seemed to take a swing at team-mate Nasum for not calling for the catch, and even after Shafiqul removed Mahidul Islam in the penultimate over, Rahim gave the young bowler an earful for getting hit for a four and a six earlier in the over.

Afif made 55 off 35 balls with four sixes and three fours, but found little support at the other end. Dhaka's offspinners Robiul Islam Robi and Al-Amin played the crucial role with their eight overs in tandem going for only 37 runs, and picking up three wickets between them. Shafiqul and Muktar picked up three wickets apiece.

Earlier, only three batsmen reached double-figures as Dhaka stumbled to 150 for 8. Yasir top scored with 54, hitting two sixes and three fours in 43 balls, while Rahim made a 30-ball 43, including a six and four fours. They took Dhaka out of a hole after they had slipped to 22 for 3.

Rahim and Yasir added 50 for the fourth wicket, before the captain skied Kamrul Islam Rabbi to be caught and bowled. Akbar Ali threatened to take the game away from Barishal but holed out at wide long-on after hitting 21 off just nine balls. Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan bowled superbly, taking 3 for 44 in their combined eight overs, while Rabbi took two wickets.