In an electrifying contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Chittagong Kings edged past the Khulna Tigers by two wickets in the second qualifier of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025. A gripping encounter, punctuated by twists and turns, culminated in a last-ball four by Al Islam, sealing Chittagong’s passage to their second BPL final. They will now face defending champions Fortune Barishal at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.
A Nail-Biting Finish: Islam’s Heroics Under Pressure
Chittagong Kings found themselves in dire straits, staring down an uphill battle as they chased 164 for victory. The tension soared when Al Islam, visibly limping from an earlier injury, walked back to the crease with just a few deliveries left. Showing remarkable resilience, Islam dispatched a textbook cover drive off the final ball to secure the win. His unbeaten 17 off just seven balls, featuring two fours and a six, proved to be the difference in this high-stakes encounter.
Nafay and Talat Lay the Foundation
The Kings’ chase got off to a shaky start, losing both Parvez Hossain Emon and Graham Clark early. However, Khawaja Nafay and Hussain Talat stitched together a crucial 70-run partnership for the third wicket. Nafay played a composed knock, combining swift singles with elegant flicks, while Talat injected momentum with his aggressive stroke play. The Pakistani all-rounder smashed 40 off 25 balls, including five boundaries and a towering six, before falling victim to Nasum Ahmed’s deceptive bowling.
Khulna’s Comeback: Nasum and Musfik Trigger Collapse
Despite Chittagong’s strong start, the Khulna Tigers clawed their way back into the contest. Nasum Ahmed’s dismissal of Talat set off a dramatic collapse, with Chittagong tumbling from 105 for 2 to 130 for 7 in the span of just four overs. Shamim Hossain, Nafay, and Khaled Ahmed all fell in quick succession, putting immense pressure on the lower order.
Arafat and Islam Steady the Ship
With the game hanging in the balance, Arafat Sunny and Al Islam pieced together a crucial stand, both finding the boundary at key moments. Their 26-run partnership proved vital in bringing Chittagong within striking distance. Despite Islam injuring his ankle in the final over, his return to the crease, coupled with a lucky inside-edged boundary by Shoriful Islam, kept the Kings’ hopes alive.
Hetmyer’s Blitz Lifts Khulna to Competitive Total
Earlier in the evening, Khulna Tigers struggled to gain momentum, their innings meandering at under six runs per over for the first 16 overs. The early departure of captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, bowled by Binura Fernando, set the tone for a sluggish start. Al Islam continued to apply the squeeze, conceding just 14 runs in his four-over spell, while Khaled Ahmed’s breakthrough removed Mohammad Naim for 19.
As Khulna labored at 92 for 4 by the 16th over, Shimron Hetmyer finally unleashed his power-hitting prowess. Teaming up with Mahidul Islam Ankon, Hetmyer took charge, launching a brutal assault on Chittagong’s bowlers. The 17th over yielded 23 runs, with Hetmyer clearing the ropes twice and Ankon adding a pair of sixes. Even Fernando, who had bowled economically earlier, bore the brunt of Hetmyer’s onslaught, conceding two fours and two sixes in a single over.
Late Flourish Falls Short for Khulna
Despite Hetmyer’s 63-run fireworks and Jason Holder’s late cameo, Khulna’s total of 163 for 6 fell agonizingly short. Their last four overs produced 71 runs, but it wasn’t enough to keep Chittagong at bay. While Nawaz and Holder scrambled 17 runs in the final over, the total ultimately proved insufficient against Chittagong’s spirited comeback.
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The Road Ahead: Chittagong Kings vs. Fortune Barishal
With this victory, Chittagong Kings march into the BPL 2025 final, where they will take on defending champions Fortune Barishal. The Kings will need to address their batting frailties and depth concerns, but with their never-say-die attitude and Islam’s heroics, they enter the final as formidable contenders.
