CHK VS KHT QUALIFIER 2

Right then, that is it from this nail-biting Qualifier 2 where Chittagong Kings break the hearts of Khulna Tigers. Now, we shift our focus to the biggest of them of all - The Grand Finale of the Bangladesh Premier League 2024/25 between Fortune Barishal and Chittagong Kings. That game is scheduled for 7th February, Friday at 6.30 pm IST (1 pm GMT), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Mohammad Mithun, the victorious skipper of Chittagong Kings says that this an incredible win for them and these types of games make you emotional. Adds that they bowled well in the first 15 overs but conceded a few too many at the death. Mentions that in the batting as well, they had the momentum but then they lost too many wickets but the way Arafat Sunny and Aliss Al Islam finished the game was simply brilliant. Says that at one point, they though they lost the game, but it was just meant to be. Further adds that this win will give them a huge boost going into the final. Ends by saying that they are looking forward to the big game and will give their everything to lift the trophy.

Aliss Al Islam is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his all-round brilliance and last-ball heroics. He says that when he was batting with Arafat Sunny, his partner told him to keep the belief as he has the ability to hit the big ones, and in cricket anything is possible. Adds that while taking the second run he twisted his ankle, and they did not want to take the risk because they needed someone who could run. Mentions that when Shoriful Islam hit that boundary, they found their belief back. Ends by saying that, he told Sunny, if it was meant to be, he would hit a six, but ended up hitting a boundary which was all they needed.

Mehidy Hasan, the captain of Khulna Tigers says that it was an excellent match and the boys played really well, especially Aliss Al Islam. Mentions that this is cricket and this happens all the time. Further mentions that the wicket looked tricky and Shimron Hetmyer batted really well. Adds that they were at least 10 runs short. Further adds that they definitely fell short in the Powerplay. Says that it is difficult for the bowlers to bowl here in tricky conditions. Concludes by thanking the crowd for their support.

Presentation Time...

Khulna Tigers started well with early wickets and then roared back in the middle overs, grabbing five in no time to seize control. Hasan Mahmud and Nasum Ahmed were brilliant, sharing five scalps, while Musfik Hasan chipped in with three. But all their efforts were undone in the final over, where Musfik just couldn’t defend 14 runs, culminating in a gut-wrenching last-ball defeat. A tough pill to swallow for KT after coming so close!

Earlier in the game, Khulna Tigers fought back brilliantly to post a strong total, thanks to a blistering fifty from Shimron Hetmyer, a composed knock from Mahidul Islam Ankon, and some late fireworks from Jason Holder. Chittagong Kings had them reeling at 42/4 but couldn’t keep the pressure on. Binura Fernando and Aliss Al Islam were outstanding, sharing three wickets while keeping things tight, but Shoriful Islam had a day to forget.

What a rollercoaster of a game! Chittagong Kings were cruising at 105/2, thanks to a solid 70-run stand between Khawaja Nafay and Hussain Talat, but a dramatic collapse saw them stumble to 130/7 in no time. Just when all seemed lost, Arafat Sunny and Aliss Al Islam reignited hope with some powerful hits. Needing 15 off the final over, and 8 off 3 when Aliss limped off injured, the drama peaked. Shoriful Islam struck a boundary but fell immediately, leaving a wounded Aliss with one ball and four runs to get. And like a true warrior, he delivered - smashing the last ball to the ropes and sealing CK’s place in the final!

PHEW! WHAT A THRILLER! Aliss Al Islam, take a bow! A wounded lion truly roars the loudest, and he has just taken Chittagong Kings to the final in stunning fashion. Wild celebrations erupt in Dhaka as his teammates rush to their hero, while heartbreak engulfs Khulna Tigers - especially Musfik Hasan, who is in tears after that agonizing final over. And with that, we have our grand finale set - Fortune Barishal vs Chittagong Kings!

FOUR! ALISS AI ISLAM HAS DONE IT! Would you believe it as he went after the third ball and came back two balls later in the same over to hit this boundary to take his team to the final? He is the hero and all the players of the Chittagong Kings are pumped up and celebrating the win around him. Musfik Hasan is devastated and can't believe what he has done here. Coming to the ball, he bowls a full ball, outside off, Aliss Al Islam goes on his knee and extends his arms to slice it over the cover fielder for a boundary. Chittagong Kings have won this game by two wickets and go to the final to play Fortune Barishal.

It's all happening here. Aliss Al Islam is getting padded up again just outside the ropes, and he is walking out to the middle to face the last ball. Can he hit a boundary or a six to take his side home here? It all comes down to this.

OUT! CAUGHT! WHAT A DRAMA! BOUNDARY AND NOW A WICKET! Musfik Hasan bangs in short of a length, outside off, Shoriful Islam wants to slog it again towards the leg side but the face of the bat gets turned off and the ball goes in the air towards deep backward point where Shimron Hetmyer makes no mistake and pouches it with hands at chest height. Chittagong Kings need four runs off the last ball.

OUT! CAUGHT! WHAT A DRAMA! BOUNDARY AND NOW A WICKET! Musfik Hasan bangs in short of a length, outside off, Shoriful Islam wants to slog it again towards the leg side but the face of the bat gets turned off and the ball goes in the air towards deep backward point where Shimron Hetmyer makes no mistake and pouches it with hands at chest height. Chittagong Kings need four runs off the last ball.

FOUR! PROPER LUCK FOR CHITTAGONG KINGS HERE! Hasan comes in from around the wicket and fires in on the full length, around middle, Shoriful Islam makes room and just swings at it and gets it through the inner half of the bat in the gap between square leg and short fine leg for a boundary. Chittagong Kings need 4 off the last 2 balls.

Shoriful Islam walks out to bat now. 8 needed in 3 now.

Hard length, around off and middle, Sunny swipes it towards long on and runs the first one quickly and wants to have another but Aliss Al Islam falls down there at the batter's end as his ankle gets twisted when he looks to come back for the second. Chittagong Kings need 8 runs off the last 3 balls.

Good running between the wickets! Good length, around off, Sunny slogs at it but gets it through the inner half of the bat wide of long on and runs off for a couple.

FOUR! GETS THE BOUNDARY ON THE FIRST BALL! Hasan serves it full from around the wicket, right in the slot, Arafat Sunny stays deep in the crease and swings at it and gets a boundary towards deep mid-wicket. Chittagong Kings need 11 off the last 5 balls.