Charity Cricket Match held at Toronto, Canada

Asia XI beats World XI by 3 wickets in the charity cricket Match titled as ALL STAR T20 held at Toronto, Canada. World XI batted first and scored 164 runs. Chasing this total Asia XI reached the target playing 19 overs with 3 wickets left in hand.

Scorecard:

International XI lost to Asia XI

		Batting: Asia XI									R			B	4?s	6?s	SR
		ST Jayasuriya	c P Utseya b JDP Oram								41			24	7	1	170.83
		R Gunasekera	c DS Smith b TL Best								6			3	0	1	200.00
		H Patel	b TL Best								39			32	4	0	121.88
		N Hossain	c MV Boucher b TL Best								21			20	3	0	105.00
		R Cheema	c D Pervez b TL Best								20			14	1	2	142.86
		D Pathirana	not out								11			10	2	0	110.00
		A Bagai	c DS Smith b JDP Oram								10			10	1	0	100.00
		AS Hansra	c SCG MacGill b JDP Oram								0			1	0	0	0.00
		C Walegadera	not out								1			1	0	0	100.00
		Extras	(w 9, lb 9)								18
		Total	(7 wickets; 19.0 overs)								167			8.79 RPO
Fall of Wicket: 7-1 ( R Gunasekera 0.4 ov ), 63-2 ( ST Jayasuriya 5.6 ov ), 98-3 ( N Hossain 10.3 ov ), 143-4 ( R Cheema 15.1 ov ), 144-5 ( H Patel 15.2 ov ), 162-6 ( A Bagai 18.2 ov ), 162-7 ( AS Hansra 18.3 ov )
	Bowling: International XI			O	M	R	W	EC	AV	EX
	TL Best			4.0	0	36	4	9.00	9.00	(w 3)
	TG Southee			3.0	0	32	0	10.67	-	(w 3)
	KD Mills			4.0	0	24	0	6.00	-	(w 2)
	JDP Oram			4.0	0	40	3	10.00	13.33	(w 1)
	SCG MacGill			4.0	0	26	0	6.50	-

Having set England a mammoth 340 to win, Sri Lanka endured a few nervous moments as Jonathan Trott, in particular, batted with great fortitude. In the end, though, the target was too great and Sri Lanka held their nerve.

It was another spinner, Rangana Herath, who led Sri Lanka’s victory charge; he took 12 wickets in the match and expertly exploited a turning surface and England’s deficiencies against spin bowling.

It might be tempting, then, to claim that Sri Lanka have discovered a replacement for Murali.In truth, Sri Lanka are learning new ways to win. With Murali in the side, life was relatively easy; his excellence allowed Sri Lanka to mask other weaknesses. Those days have gone and may never return.

The Sri Lanka team still contains match-winners, though. Mahela Jayawardene’s first-innings century – a magnificent innings – provided a welcome reminder of his genius, while Kumar Sangakkara remains one of the finest batsmen in world cricket.

Generally, however, they are now a team who require contributions from every individual.

Herath is a perfect example. He is a skilled performer, certainly. He bowls with pleasing flight, has all the traditional variations and has excellent control. His second-innings performance was his ninth five-wicket haul and left him the fifth Sri Lanka bowler to claim ten wickets in a Test.

But he is no Murali. Only three years ago he was plying his trade as a journeymen pro – and with modest success – in the North Staffordshire and South Cheshire League, while a spell as overseas player with Hampshire produced just ten first-class wickets at an average of 46.30.

In these conditions, however, he is a tough proposition. And, with the support of Suraj Ranjiv and two underated seamers, he was able to apply pressure on a batting line-up lacking competence and confidence.

Herath was also supported by some outstanding fielding. The wicketkeeper, Prasanna Jayawardene, enjoyed an excellent came with bat and gloves. But, in a match that took many twists and turns, perhaps the defining moment came when Lahiru Thirimanne clung on to a desperately tough chance at short leg to end a fifth-wicket partnership that looked as if it could take England to a record-breaking victory.

Matt Prior and Trott added 81 runs. With the field pushed back, the pair were able to rotate the strike and accumulate without undue risk.

Then, however, Prior connected well with a sweep only to see Thirimanne, anticipating the path of the ball as he saw the batsman shape for the shot, react brilliantly to hold on after it struck him on the body. The dismissal precipitated a dramatic collapse as England lost their last six wickets for only 31 runs.

Defeat was cruel reward for Trott. Trott’s century, a wonderful example of patience, technique and concentration, would, in many circumstances, have deserved to win a Test. As it was, however, he was unable to compensate for the failure of his colleagues.

Trott’s seventh Test century sustained England’s hopes of a remarkable win until the brink of tea but his dismissal, caught at leg slip as he attempted to turn an off break into the leg side, ended any realistic hopes the tourists may have had.

On the final day Trott helplessly watched on as Kevin Pietersen – now averaging just 12.50 on England’s winter tours – was beaten in the flight and chipped to mid-wicket and Ian Bell missed a premeditated sweep. Samit Patel, trying to give himself room and hit through the off side, was another man to be superbly caught at the second attempt by Tillakaratne Dilshan at short extra cover, before Graeme Swann, attempting an ugly sweep, was leg before the two left-hand tailenders were soon mopped up by Ranjiv’s off-spin.

The result sentenced England to their fourth successive Test defeat. For the No.1 rated team who, only a few months ago, were talking about setting a legacy, that is an acute embarrassment.

They need not look too far to see where they want wrong. They simply made too many mistakes. In dropping Mahela Jayawardene four times during the course of his match-defining century they were profligate beyond repair. Stuart Broad’s no-ball to Prasanna Jayawardene – and the manner in which Sri Lanka’s last two wickets were able to eek out more than 50 runs in each innings (65 in the first and 87 in the second) – were also costly.

Most pertinently, though, England’s batsmen continue to struggle against spin bowling. To be bowled out within 47 overs on a blameless second day track was always likely to prove decisive. Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell (despite his half-century in the first innings) are all in need of runs in Test cricket and it was telling that, even in their second innings, when England batted so much better, they lost all ten of their wickets to spin.

Perhaps, though, they can take just a little encouragement from certain aspects of this performance. England have never made more than 332 to win in the fourth innings of a Test but, set 340 here, there were moments when they threatened to go close. Yes, they fell short, but they at least showed some of the fight and fibre that was missing in the UAE.

The Bangladesh all-rounder, who represents the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), envisions a final berth for his team in the fifth edition of the tournament. Shakib opened up on Bangladesh’s resurgence, his IPL experience and KKR in an exclusive chat with Times of India:

Bangladesh’s resurgence in the Asia Cup was inspiring. What’s the secret behind this new self-belief?

For the last two-and-a-half-years we have been thinking that we have the ability to beat stronger teams but always failed somewhere or the other. We weren’t clicking as a team. Only two or three players were performing. But what happened in Asia Cup saw a complete transformation. Six or seven players performed consistently – two or three with the ball and three-four players with the bat every time. So, that was the most important thing behind our journey to the Asia Cup final.

The team chiefly revolves around your performance. How do you manage to handle the pressure?

It’s a challenge for me every time I play to ensure that my team does well. Opportunities come in various forms and at various moments. I never shrink at the idea ‘What if I fail to carry out my task? If it has to be done, it has to be done’. I know the team depends on me and I don’t like it to suffer for my failure. Hopefully, the consistency we have shown in Asia Cup will continue for five years at least. My only ambition is to perform for the team. The amount of international matches I have played over the past five-six years has helped me learn the dynamics of the game. The time I have spent playing county cricket and also my stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have helped me evolve as a better cricketer.

What does Shakib’s return as the No. 1 all-rounder in ODI mean to you?

It feels great because this thing has never happened to any Bangladeshi cricketer before. I feel proud to get such recognition and it is a motivation to work harder than before. Anything that brings pride to Bangladesh cricket is welcome for me.

Has losing captaincy been a blessing in disguise for you?

It’s true. I am being able to concentrate more on my game. I get time to analyse myself, give myself more time to correct my flaws. I must add here that the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), too, had a huge influence on all of us. It has helped us in sharing our thoughts in the dressing room. Any idea that we feel is suitable for the national team is implemented. This has been a huge plus for us.

What are the Kolkata Knight Riders’ prospects this year?

Last year was excellent for KKR. We qualified for the semis and that’s a big step forward. Our target this year will be the final and we have the arsenal to go that far. We made silly errors here and there that eventually stalled our progress. But, hopefully, we won’t repeat the same mistakes and carry on the momentum.

Do you feel IPL teams should be allowed to retain more players?

The retention policy is good. But I feel it should be widened to allow teams to retain more players over a longer period of time – say seven to eight years. That would allow the teams to maintain their strengths and play to their potential.

Which team will be Knight Riders’ strongest opponent?

Chennai Super Kings, no doubt. I have always found them to be a well-balanced team. Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a good skipper. He doesn’t just have a cool head but a mind that is always thinking. The escape route is always ready!

How enriching has it been playing alongside Gautam Gambhir and Jacques Kallis?

It’s a privilege to share the dressing room with the likes of Kallis and Gambhir. Both are different players but have one similarity – their actions do the talking. What I do for the Bangladesh team is often ideas borrowed from them.

A Sri Lanka win will end Bangladesh’s Asia Cup, one the hosts spiced up through their thrilling chase against India that kept their qualification hopes alive and prevented Sunday’s India-Pakistan encounter from becoming a mere dress rehearsal for the final. They fought hard against Pakistan, won memorably against India by embarrassing a weak bowling attack and can’t be written off against a Sri Lanka team yet to recover from sizable defeats. Bangladesh will go through if they win; even if they tie with India on points, they’re through by virtue of having beaten them earlier.

For Sri Lanka, a team that beat South Africa at home twice in the ODI series in January and won against Australia four times in the CB series, failing to make it to the final of a tournament they’ve traditionally done well in represents a setback. Sri Lanka will be desperate to salvage some pride, Bangladesh to display some consistency in winning against superior teams, not merely challenging them.

In 29 tournaments of three teams or more that Bangladesh have participated in, they’ve only made it to the final twice – the latest was a tri-series final at home where Sri Lanka took the title in a close finish. A win tomorrow will mark their most impressive performance in a multi-team tournament, and what better place to deliver that than at home in front of a packed house, also the venue for the final.

Form guide

Bangladesh: WLLLL (most recent first)
Sri Lanka: LLLWL

In the spotlight

Nasir Hossain: Only 20, he has been the find of the season for Bangladesh. Spunky in the middle order, more than handy as an offspinner and a livewire in the field, Nasir has infused this Bangladesh team with plenty of life and enthusiasm. He helped give Bangladesh a realistic chance of beating Pakistan and stayed through to almost the end against India, both those innings part of a consistent run in ODIs. Sri Lanka will have their first taste of Hossain on Tuesday.

Dinesh Chandimal: He looks good to take over from Kumar Sangakkara as Sri Lanka’s next long-term wicketkeeper-batsman – he’s already done that in Tests. Along with Lahiru Thirimanne, he is Sri Lanka’s next big batting hope. His last three outings haven’t been good, however, with scores of 5, 13 and 0, all in losing causes. Bangladesh present an opportunity for a recovery.

Team news

Bangladesh will be without their seamer Shafiul Islam, who is out for 10 days with a shoulder injury. They have drafted in seamer Abul Hasan in the squad. Whether or not he’ll play in the XI, as Shafiul had done, remains to be seen. They have another medium-fast option in Nazmul Hossain.

Bangladesh XI (possible): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Nazimuddin, 3 Jahurul Islam, 4 Nasir Hossain, 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), 7 Mahmudullah, 8 Mashrafe Mortaza, 9 Abdur Razzak, 10 Nazmul Hossain, 11 Shahadat Hossain.

Will Lasith Malinga play? Or will Sri Lanka give another bowler a go? They’ll be eager to win and won’t be taking Bangladesh lightly. It is likely they will go in with their best XI.

Sri Lanka XI (possible): 1 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Dinesh Chandimal, 5 Lahiru Thirimanne, 6 Upul Tharanga, 7 Farveez Maharoof, 8 Nuwan Kulasekara, 9 Seekkuge Prasanna, 10 Lasith Malinga/Shaminda Eranga, 11 Suranga Lakmal.

When a boundary is needed, Kohli is the man. When the singles are needed, Kohli is the man. When a gap is to be found, Kohli is the man. He kept doing all of that for 148 deliveries against Pakistan. By the time he was done, he had hit 23 boundaries and made 183. India had lost Gautam Gambhir off the second ball of the innings. They lost just one more wicket in the next 272. Kohli’s dominance was so complete, it left contrasting support performances from Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma in the shade. It certainly meant Mohammad Hafeez’s and Nasir Jamshed’s centuries were in vain, as was their 224-run opening stand, Pakistan’s highest against India, and their second-highest ever.

Not losing by a bonus point put Pakistan in the final of the Asia Cup; it kept India and Bangladesh dependent on the result of the last league game between the hosts and Sri Lanka, who have been knocked out. A win for Bangladesh will see them go through, as they lead the head-to-head against India in the tournament; any other result will see India qualify.

It was Kohli who almost single-handedly kept India in the tournament with a performance so supreme it led Misbah-ul-Haq to call it one of the best ODI innings he had seen. Chasing 330 is tough. Chasing 330 against Pakistan should be as tough as it gets for an India batsman. Kohli could not bother about things such as pressure, even when Pakistan struck gold in the first over when Mohammad Hafeez trapped Gambhir in front.

Pakistan were playing five bowlers but India worked around the threat of Saeed Ajmal and Umar Gul initially by targetting the others. Tendulkar and Kohli outdid each other in stroke-making. Their second-wicket partnership was worth 133 in just 19.1 overs. While Gul and Ajmal were given the respect they deserved, the shorter lengths of Wahab Riaz and Aizaz Cheema were taken for runs. As was the quicker pace of Shahid Afridi.

The 100th century finally done with, Tendulkar was totally unrestrained and went along at a faster clip than Kohli. India found momentum in the third over, Cheema’s second, which went for 12. Kohli began with a violent pull while Tendulkar’s back-foot punch past cover was vintage. Pakistan had just started to suffer for bowling the wrong lengths. Cheema continued to be short of a good length, and Tendulkar brought out another vintage with a sly guide over slips that flew for six.

Tendulkar and Kohli dealt with the spinners in their own ways when they needed the boundaries. Tendulkar carted Hafeez over midwicket with a slog-sweep; Kohli whipped Afridi through the same region.

Riaz’s three-over spell put Pakistan under even more pressure. Not only did he bowl short, he kept on targeting Kohli’s pads and the batsman helped himself to several fours on the on side. He ultimately disappeared for 50 in four overs. Hafeez, the lone part-timer used, went for only 42 in nine.

Tendulkar , meanwhile, misread an Ajmal doosra after reaching his fifty and ended up edging it to slip, but Kohli was looking nearly unstoppable. What he needed was a sidekick and for once, Rohit rose to the occasion. He took his time before showing his range against spin with a series of cuts, pulls and lofted drives over extra cover. Kohli and Rohit went one better than Kohli and Tendulkar had as the third wicket realised 172 in 26.2 overs.

Kohli was in the zone. He went without a boundary for 32 balls, but still scored 25. In this period, he got to his century which came with the now-famous celebration. In this period, Rohit kept getting the boundaries. The asking-rate still crossed eight an over after the 39th. Kohli went after Gul in the 40th in a flurry of whip, swat, loft and clip. Sixteen runs later, the rate was below seven-and-a-half. He wasn’t done yet. Riaz was greeted with a whip off a yorker, a flick and a drive in the 41st. Thirteen runs later, the rate was below seven.

Though Kohli and Rohit could not hit the winning runs, the game as a contest between India’s batsmen and Pakistan’s bowlers had ended long ago. Hafeez and Jamshed had ensured the pressure would be squarely on the former going into the chase, with a 224-run opening partnership. After having failed to defend 289 against Bangladesh, India were once again let down by the inability of their bowlers to either strike or contain.

India had the opportunity to make first use of the Mirpur pitch, which has been harsher for bowlers in the evening, but Hafeez and Jamshed stroked boundaries at will, against a listless unit, on their way to centuries. Younis Khan, usually not one to worry attacks at the death, smashed 52 off 34 deliveries to lift Pakistan to their second-highest total against India.

India’s lack of penetration was evident when MS Dhoni threw the ball to Tendulkar in the 24th over, after having already tried seven bowlers. Five of them had already gone at more than run-a-ball by then, and none, barring Ashok Dinda, had come close to troubling the Pakistan openers.

Pakistan had taken control long before that, though, with Hafeez and Jamshed, a burly left-hander in the Graeme Smith mould, playing with assurance and eschewing any desperation.

The previous best opening stand for Pakistan against India was 144 between Aamer Sohail and Saeed Anwar in 1996; Hafeez and Jamshed had already rustled up 150 at the halfway mark. Both soon got to their centuries, Jamshed’s being his maiden one in ODIs.

The batting Powerplay consumed both batsmen in the search of more runs, but Younis and Umar Akmal ensured that Pakistan came nowhere to enduring the kind of middle-order collapse they had had against Bangladesh.

Younis has been criticised for being slow in this format, but today he was at ease as the innings neared its close. Orthodox punches and lofts raced for boundaries through the off side. To Pakistan’s misfortune, Kohli would hit them harder in the evening, and for longer.

Bangladesh had asked India to bat knowing that chasing has been easier on the Mirpur pitch in this tournament than batting first. Though the strategy had not worked against Pakistan, India did not have an Umar Gul or a Saeed Ajmal to stop a side hungrier than they were for success.

Shakib and Mushfiqur did not succumb to the gnawing tension that an asking-rate of above eight runs an over brings. Instead, India’s bowlers crumbled against their aggression. Shakib blitzed 49 off 31 deliveries and were it not for a close stumping decision going against him, might have finished the game on his own.

With 66 needed off 50 deliveries, Shakib was adjudged stumped off R Ashwin with replays showing enough doubt for the benefit to have gone to the batsman. Mushfiqur, who had said yesterday that India’s thin bowling unit gave Bangladesh confidence, slammed 46 off 25 as Bangladesh won with four deliveries left.

A steady build-up from Tamim Iqbal and Jahurul Islam had left Bangladesh with a climbing asking-rate. With Nasir Hossain in control at one end, Shakib gave Bangladesh hope with hitting that was as uninhibited as it was daring. He took 18 runs off the 37th over, bowled by Ashok Dinda, with a couple of swings over midwicket and thick edge to third man. R Ashwin dropped it short, and was punched and pulled for boundaries. It was now Irfan Pathan’s turn. A slash followed another pull, and the momentum had shifted in Bangladesh’s favour.

India managed to sneak in some quiet overs after Shakib fell. It came down to 37 needed off 24. India’s quick bowlers were having problems in controlling their deliveries and full tosses had been dished out often. The 48th over was when it fell apart for them. Irfan bowled a wide outside off stump. MS Dhoni ran upto him with some advice. Irfan bowled a length ball on Mushfiqur’s pads next. Flicked over deep square leg for six. A stern-looking Dhoni had more words for Irfan. A high full toss followed from around the wicket. Swung over deep midwicket for six more.

With 16 needed off 12, Praveen began the 49th over with a waist-high no-ball. Sliced over point for four. A length delivery followed. Mushfiqur wound up and dispatched it over long-on. Game over. Mushfiqur roared on the field; Shakib did an encore in the dressing room. Bangladesh had only their third ODI win over their big neighbours.

When Tamim and Jahurul were ensuring that Bangladesh did not lose too many wickets during the middle overs, it had seemed that Bangladesh were not far away from coming short against the stiff asking-rate. Tamim again displayed his recent penchant for buckling down to play a long innings while Jahurul picked up the scoring after a slow start. The duo kept getting the odd boundary but could not really dominate. They fell after reaching their fifties, trying to keep up with the requirement, but Shakib and Mushfiqur stunned India with their refusal to give in.

Defeat would have been the last thing on India’s minds when, after a year of hype and expectation, Tendulkar got his 100th international century in the country where he had equalled Sunil Gavaskar’s then-record 34 Test centuries in 2004 on way to his highest Test score. It wasn’t one of Tendulkar’s better hundreds and will ultimately be remembered only for being the one that brought up the unprecedented landmark. In fact, it was his second-slowest innings of 100-plus in ODIs and ended up restricting India’s progress. They ended up on 289 for 5, an underwhelming outcome considering their power-packed batting line-up had had a platform of 173 for 1 in the 36th over.

Bangladesh’s attack was persevering but limited. Tendulkar duly milked them to finally go past a landmark that hardly anyone knew existed before he got close to it, but put tremendous pressure on the player himself in a frenzied build-up that lasted a year.

Tendulkar had motored to 80 off 102 deliveries but took another 36 before he took his hundredth run, off Shakib Al Hasan. The monkey off his back, he belatedly took charge, hitting consecutive boundaries off Shahadat Hossain before a slog ended up in the keeper’s hands. Tendulkar’s departure came immediately after Suresh Raina’s brisk innings had ended after having kept India going amid his senior partner’s quest for the century. Raina hit 51 off 38 and built on a 148-run second-wicket partnership between Tendulkar and Kohli, who looked set to become the first India batsman to score three consecutive ODI hundreds until he played on for a breezy 66.

The hosts should have had Kohli with the first ball of the sixth over, when Shafiul Islam struck him on the back leg in front of middle stump, but umpire Paul Reiffel remained unmoved. Kohli’s form took over after that, and with Tendulkar batting as safely as he does during some of his long Test innings, India motored along without giving Bangladesh half a chance more.

Bangladesh had themselves to blame for allowing Tendulkar to settle with a generous sprinkling of wide deliveries from their fast bowlers. His first four scoring shots were all boundaries, as he cashed in on width to drive and punch through the off side.

Shafiul had Gautam Gambhir playing on early off a forcing flat-footed drive, but Kohli did not take long to get going after his reprieve. The field hardly moved as he flicked and cover-drove for fours in consecutive overs.

Spin was expected to be a major factor on a dry-looking pitch but Tendulkar and Kohli negotiated Bangladesh’s slow army without any problems. The scoring-rate did take a slight beating as singles dominated but Tendulkar soon found the freedom to slog sweep Shakib Al Hasan over wide long-on. With his feet moving precisely now, he made room to cart Shakib inside-out over extra cover to reach his first international fifty in 13 innings. As he passed 80, Tendulkar took his time amid some nerves. Meanwhile, after having contemptuously worked his way to another fifty, Kohli played on against Abdur Razzak.

Raina’s slog sweeps and lofted shots over extra cover kept the runs coming, though, but Tendulkar was clearly feeling the pressure at the other end. He played out a maiden to Mashrafe Mortaza on 83, and on several occasions took off for non-existent singles before being sent back. The century arrived in the 44th over, and Tendulkar’s relief was evident. With the innings in need of a final burst, Dhoni slammed 16 off the 50th over to get India to 289, but for once Bangladesh chased with as much faith as their fans have in their team.

Barisal only managed to score 140 on board after 20 overs. Targeting a modest total of 140 runs, Imran Nazir was too good for Barisal. He took the game completely away from Braisal. He played a blinder of 75 runs from 43 runs. On the other hand, young Anamul Haque scored unbeaten 49 from 38 balls. Dhaka Gladiators beats Barisal Burners by 8 wickets to achieve the championship.

Awards:

Imran Nazir Adjudged man of the final match.

Ahmed Shehzad achieved highest run scorer’s award

Elias Sunny and Mohammad Sammy achieved Highest wicket taker’s award combined.

Mohammad Ashraful achieved highest catch taker’s award.

Elias Sunny adjudged best Bangladeshi performer’s award.

Azher Mahmud adjudged best Foreign player’s award.

Shakib Al Hasan was adjudged Man of the tournament.

Dhaka, Feb 28 (bdnews24.com) – In a revised decision, the Governing Council and Technical Committee of the Bangladesh Premier League has said Barisal Burners have qualified as the fourth team to play semifinals in place of Chittagong Kings.

In a stunning midnight decision, a joint meeting of the council and the event committee made it clear that Barisal have got the place and the previous declaration that Chittagong Kings have qualified for the semis would not do anymore, according to a press statement by the BPL authorities issued on Tuesday.

Chittagong Kings have called a press conference at Ruposi Bangla Hotel at 11am, its media manager Atique Azam told bdnews24.com.

“The sponsors of the team will react formally there,” he said.

On Monday, BPL governing council president Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu announced that Barisal Burners were left out following a head-to-head count.

But the new decision came after an issue had been raised in regards to the positions of the three teams –Dhaka Gladiators, Barisal Burners & Chittagong Kings — finishing on equal points behind Duronto Rajshahi and Khulna Royal Bengals., the statement said.

The top four teams qualify for the semifinals with number one playing the fourth positioned side and number two taking on the third placed team.

Examining the playing conditions and its interpretations the meeting ruled that Duronto Rajshahi (14 points) and Khulna Royal Bengals (12 points) finished top two on points and qualify for the semis as the 1st and 2nd placed teams.

Three teams – Dhaka Gladiators, Barisal Burners and Chittagong Kings– are on equal (10) points. Dhaka Gladiators have most wins from meetings with Barisal Burners and Chittagong Kings and therefore qualify as the 3rd semifinalist.

With Barisal Burners and Chittagong Kings both having one win against each other the 4th qualifier had to be decided on the basis of superior net run rate. Barisal edged ahead of Chittagong on net run rate to become the 4th semifinalist.

The press statement said the council and the technical committee sincerely regret any misunderstanding that may have risen regarding this issue.

bdnews24.com/ost/jr/1031h

“We have just signed for Brendan to join the Chittagong Kings for the last three games and the finals in the BPL,” Taylor’s agent said. “The deal was negotiated directly by us with the owner and CEO, Sameer Quader Chowdhury, of the Chittagong Kings.”

Chittagong are currently in third place, with eight points, two behind joint leaders, Khulna Royal Bengals and Duronto Rajshahi.

Taylor has played 54 Twenty20s, averaging 31 at a strike-rate of 122.04. He recently played in New Zealand's domestic Twenty20 league, and smashed a career-best 101 for Wellington.