BPL set for climax with fans up close

The Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League is about to reach its climax as the playoff stage begins at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.

 Chattogram Challengers take on Khulna Tigers in the Eliminator in the day's first fixture while Fortune Barishal and Comilla Victorians, the top two teams following the group stage, lock horns in the first Qualifier in the night game.

Meanwhile, some good news arrived for the local fans at last as the BPL authorities have allowed a limited number of spectators in the stands for the playoffs. .

Barishal, with six consecutive wins, possess momentum leading into the game. They are led by Shakib Al Hasan, who has bagged a record five consecutive man-of-the-match awards in the BPL.

Comilla, on the other hand, also played clinical cricket with young Mahmudul Hasan Joy and overseas players Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali in superb touch. Comilla's Mustafizur Rahman has taken the most number of wickets and is expected to play a decisive role for his side.

"It will be tough as we know they [Fortune Barishal] are a good team but we know their strengths and we have also played some good cricket lately," Comilla's technical advisor and the Tigers' former head coach Steve Rhodes told media yesterday. 

The winner of the first Qualifier will reach the final while the losing team will get another chance and face the winners of the Eliminator.

Meanwhile, both Chattogram and Khulna have confirmed the play-off spot in their final group stage games and are expected to provide a good contest with both sides featuring players like Will Jacks and Andre Fletcher, respectively, who are in scintillating form with the bat.