Sabbir blinder takes Bulls to final

They represented the Bangladesh national team during different eras, their favourite hitting zones barely matched and neither of them have had a good time in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

However, when Shahriar Nafees and Sabbir Rahman got together for the Barisal Bulls yesterday, they put on a partnership that took their side to an exciting five-wicket victory in Mirpur.

It may not have been a Chris Gayle-blitz as many had hoped to witness, but the cleverly crafted 124-run stand was just as entertaining as any innings from the hard-hitting West Indian.

While Sabbir looked to smother the leg-side, Shahriar delicately carved the ball through the off. It was a mix of the new and old and it was a stand that left Shakib Al Hasan's side in tatters.

The day didn't start in the best possible way for Barisal as they had fielded an eleven without their master-hitter, Chris Gayle. There seemed to be growing tension in the Barisal dressing room after Lendl Simmons's brilliant 57-ball 73 led the Rangpur Riders to 160 for 9.

However Sabbir ensured that Barisal didn't miss Gayle by hammering a 48-ball 79. It was a brilliant knock from a player who had scored just 60-odd runs in his first six BPL matches.

Almost everything seemed to come off the bat perfectly for Sabbir as he smacked three sixes and seven fours.

Playing his third match of the BPL, Shahriar complemented Sabbir with a 40-ball 44. Apart from smacking boundaries the duo rarely missed an opportunity take singles.

From ten for two, the pair took Barisal to 134 for two. By the time Shahriar was run-out in the 17th over, Barisal required just 27 off 23 balls.

They did face a setback when Darren Sammy took a brilliant catch at the edge of the boundary to dismiss Sabbir. Sammy jumped high and athletically balanced himself inches away from the boundary to take the catch.

Barisal Bulls batsman Sabbir Rahman whacks Rangpur Riders spinner Arafat Sunny for a six over midwicket during the closing stages of the second qualifier of the BPL at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday. Sabbir's 49-ball 79 propelled the Bulls to Tuesday's final where they will meet Comilla Victorians. PHOTO: FIROZ AHMED

A single later and Barisal required 19 runs off 12 balls. Things got worse when they lost Mahmudullah in the fourth ball of the 19th over. However, Rayad Emrit evened things with a thunderous slog that went all the way.

As a result of the six, Barisal required eight runs off the last over. The first ball from Thisara Perera was a gift for the just-arrived Kevon Cooper, who gleefully guided the leg-stump full-toss for four. He then took a double off the second and smacked a boundary off the third ball to spark wild celebrations for the Bulls, who will now take on Comilla Victorians in the grand final tomorrow.