BANGLADESH

In a stunning reversal of its previous decision, the governing body of the Bangladesh Premier League early on Tuesday said Barisal Burners – not Chittagong Kings – will play the second semifinal against table toppers Duronto Rajshahi as the fourth team.

The governing body took the decision at a 2am meeting with the technical committee .The authorities in a press statement made it clear that Barisal were through and the previous declaration that Chittagong Kings had qualified for the semis would stand void.

It had been announced initially on Sunday that Barisal Burners were through to the semifinals riding on the net run-rate after their dramatic victory against the Kings. And Chittagong, Khulna Royal Bengals and Dhaka Gladiators were left to fight it out among themselves for the remaining two spots.

On Monday, Dhaka Gladiators lost to Duronto Rajshahi by a narrow margin and Khulna Royal Bengals thrashed Sylhet Royals and the results put Khulna in the second place with 12 points, leaving Dhaka, Barisal and Chittagong tied on 10 points.

But in the head-to-head results, Dhaka had a superior net run rate and qualified for the semifinals taking third place, having beaten Barisal Burners twice and Chittagong Kings once. It meant Chittagong Kings and Barisal Burners were to fight for the fourth spot.

Chittagong Kings had two wins, against Barisal Burners and Dhaka Gladiators, while Barisal had only one, against Chittagong. But, Barisal's net run-rate was superior to Chittagong's.

Chittagong Kings at a press conference at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel late in the morning said they would challenge the latest BPL governing body's decision in court.

The late night meeting ruled that Duronto Rajshahi (14 points) and Khulna Royal Bengals (12 points) finished top two on points and qualified for the semis as the first and second placed teams.

The drama began to unfold on Monday afternoon when BPL governing council president Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu announced that Barisal Burners were left out following the head-to-head results and Chittagong were in the semi-finals, apparently on the basis of a better head-to-head record in the three-way tie on 10 points, which included Dhaka.

But the BPL statement in the wee hours of Monday said that Barisal would be the fourth semi-finalists – understandably because their head-to-head record with Chittagong was tied and they had a better net run rate.

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