Coventry, Tamim set up Duronto win

Openers Charles Coventry and Tamim Iqbal set up a four-run victory for Duronto Rajshahi over Barisal Burners to revive their semi-final hopes after three consecutive defeats in the Bangladesh Premier League in Chittagong on Monday.
Coventry lifted the morale of the side with some lusty blows to make 62 from 25 balls before Tamim, playing yards away from his home, took the rein to make 66 off 47 balls as Duronto piled up a massive 213-6, the highest by any side in the BPL-2.
Barisal Burners, who have now suffered their fourth defeat, were in the contest until the last three overs when they needed 48 runs. The match swung to Duronto’s way only after Sean Ervine removed Azhar Mahmood, who made 54 from 28 balls.
Burners still had some chance going into the final over with 26 required but despite the best efforts of Shafiul Islam they could gather only 22 and ended their chase on 209-7.
Duronto came into the game knowing that anything but a win will severely dent their semi-final hopes and
the players responded to the need inspired by some support from the fans, who mainly cheered on the local hero Tamim.
Tamim was, however, initially subdued and Coventry led the charge hitting Kabir Ali for two fours in the second over before giving first change Mahmudul Hasan a tough time with two sixes and a four in his third over.
Alok Kapali bowled Coventry, who smacked seven fours and four sixes, but there was no respite for Barisal bowlers as Simon Katich joined Tamim to continue the onslaught.
Tamim, who is facing a BCB inquiry for his alleged misbehaviour with a fan in Khulna, controlled his shots allowing Katich to take the onslaught but once the Australian departed for 23 from 14 balls, he had no choice but to open up.
He was eventually dismissed by Kapali just a ball after he had hoisted the leg-spinner for a six, but Sean Ervine, unbeaten on 30 from 11 balls, took 24 runs in the final over to help Duronto cross the 200-run mark.