Dhaka: Barisal Bulls have kept their hope of berth in the final alive after eliminating Dhaka Dynamites by 18 runs in the Eliminator match of the 3rd Bangladesh Premier League at the crowed-packed Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Saturday.

Chasing a moderate target of 136 runs, Dhaka Dynamites folded the innings for 117 for 8 in 20 overs with Mosaddek Hossain scoring the highest 26 off 27 balls with one six.

Farhad Reza was out for run-a-ball 20 with a four and a six while number seven batsman Malcolm Waller hit 18 off 10 balls involving one four and two sixes.

Nasir Hossain scored 16 off 18 balls with one four while opener Abul Hasan (11 off 14b; 2x4) and skipper Kumar Sangakkara (10 off 14b; 1x4) were the other double figure scorers for Dynamites.

Delivering four overs each, pacer Al-Amin Hossain and Kevon Cooper captured three wickets apiece for 15 and 17 runs respectively. Spinner Taijul Islam took two wickets for 13 runs in two overs.

Earlier in the crucial battle, sent in to bat first Barisal Bulls scored a moderate 135 for 5 in 20 overs riding on the second wicket pair for 70 runs off 8.3 overs between Sabbir Rahman pairing with Chris Gayle.

The 2nd pair carried the team total to 74/2 in 9.3 overs from 4/1 in 1 over before T20 star cricketer Chris Gayle was bowled out by off-cutter sensation Mustafizur Rahman.

Sabbir Rahman hit the highest 41 off 39 balls involving three fours and sixes and was caught by Mosaddek Hossain off a Nabil Samad delivery leaving team total at 84/3 in 12.3 overs.

Mahmudullah scored 37 off 33 with four fours and was caught by Farhad Reza in the innings penultimate ball off a Mustafizur Rahman when scoreboard showing 135 for 5 overs.

Chris Gayle was out for 31 off 19 balls with four fours and two sixes while Mehedi Maruf added 10 off 12 balls with two fours.

Opening bat, Barisal Bulls faced early jolt losing their opener Rony Talukder (4 off 6b, 1x4) in the last delivery of the very first over for 4 runs. Then the 2nd pair repaired the early damage carrying team total to 74 for 2 in 9.3 overs.

After the departure of Sabbir at 84/3 in 12.3 overs, Mehedi Maruf came to pair with skipper Mahmudullah, but failed to stay long as he was trapped lbw off a Mosharraf Hossain bowling at team's 102/4 in 15.3 overs.

Mustafizur Rahman grabbed two wickets for 21 runs in four overs. Delivering three overs each, Nasir Hossain and Nabil Samad took one wicket apiece conceding nine and 16 runs respectively.

Barisal Bulls will play against the Qualifier-1 losers Rangpur Riders for the only vacant final battle seat at the same venue on Sunday.

Comilla Victorians have already confirmed their final berth crushing Rangpur Riders by 72 runs in the Qualifier-1 match on the day.

The grand finale is scheduled to be held on Tuesday (15 December) also at the same venue.