Thousands of fans have flocked to the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on a government holiday to enjoy the first two playoff matches of this year's Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) today.

The stadium premises has been buzzing with fans wearing the jersey of their favourite team but tickets have been scarce with most of them standing in queues to purchase tickets while the lucky ticket-holders making their way inside the venue.

In the first of the day's two matches, Fortune Barishal and Chattogram Challengers are facing off in the eliminator, where the winner will move on to the second qualifier while the loser will be eliminated from the tournament.

Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Barishal captain Tamim Iqbal won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Fortune Barishal (Playing XI): Tamim Iqbal(c), Kyle Mayers, David Miller, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mahmudullah, Soumya Sarkar, James Fuller, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammad Saifuddin, Obed McCoy, Taijul Islam

Chattogram Challengers (Playing XI): Tanzid Hasan, Shykat Ali, Josh Brown, Tom Bruce, Romario Shepherd, Shuvagata Hom(c), Imran Uzzaman(w), Nihaduzzaman, Al-Amin Hossain, Salauddin Sakil, Bilal Khan