Fortune Barishal have claimed their maiden Bangladesh Premier League title with a clinical six-wicket victory over defending and four-time champions Comilla Victorians. 

Mahmudullah (7) and David Miller (8) finished off the chase by taking them to 157 for 4 past Comilla’s 154 with an over in hand at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Friday.

Fans started rejoicing after captain Tamim Iqbal’s (39) partnership with Mehidy Hasan Miraz (29) gave Barishal a strong start in the chase with a 76-run opening partnership. 

Kyle Mayers (46) then fashioned another 59-run stand with Mushfiqur Rahim (13). 

Earlier, Mahidul Islam Ankon (38) top-scored for Comilla, trailed by Andre Russell (27*) and Jaker Ali (20*) after they were sent to bat first.

Stopping powerhouse Comilla needed a special performance, and that is exactly what Barishal bowlers showed after Tamim chose to field first following their win in the toss.

James Fuller took two crucial wickets after Mayers struck in the first over.

Comilla were restricted to 154 for 6 as Taijul Islam and Obed McCoy provided control in their eight overs too. .

In defending their total, Comilla made several fielding errors in the latter stages with catches going down while Barishal kept the chase on the right track.

It was the first defeat for Comilla in their five BPL finals.

For Tamim, the highest scorer of the tournament with 492 runs, it was the first BPL trophy as captain.

After the match, he dedicated the victory to his fellow veterans Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur, for both of whom it was the first BPL title.