Khulna keep their final hopes alive in the NCL T20 Eliminator by defeating Chattogram in a thrilling contest.
Yasir Ali tried to loft a short-of-length delivery from Mehedi Hasan but couldn’t clear the boundary. Mohammad Mithun held onto the catch at deep mid-wicket, crushing Chattogram’s hopes. With disciplined bowling, Khulna sealed a 7-run victory.
Before and after Yasir’s dismissal, left-arm pacer Mehedi and Masum Khan bowled brilliantly. Following Nurul Hasan Sohan’s crucial fifty, the duo’s outstanding spells ensured Khulna’s triumph and kept their chances of reaching the final alive.
Chasing 147 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, Chattogram fell short, finishing at 139/6 in 20 overs. The loss meant they ended their maiden NCL T20 campaign in fourth place.
Khulna, who had only one win in their first four matches, made a remarkable comeback, winning their next four games to secure a spot in the second qualifier. They will face the loser of the Dhaka Metro vs Rangpur match for a place in the final.
Sohan’s 39-ball 52 not only provided a fighting total but also earned him the Player of the Match award. Mehedi and Masum bagged two wickets each, contributing to a memorable win.
Opting to bat first after losing the toss, Khulna lost Anamul Haque in the opening over. However, Azijul Hakim Tamim and Mohammad Mithun counter-attacked, adding 44 runs off just 24 balls.
Azijul smashed the first six of the match in the second over, followed by a stunning boundary through backward point. Mithun also struck a six off Nayeem Hasan in the next over.
Azijul’s attempt for another big shot ended in a catch at mid-off, dismissing him for 20 off 16 balls. Mithun followed soon after, falling for 16 off 12 as Khulna ended the powerplay at 54/3.
Imrul Kayes and Sohan tried to stabilize the innings with a 31-run partnership off 31 balls, but Imrul’s run-out broke the momentum. Sohan, joined by Nahidul Islam, played some clever cricket, smashing two fours off Ashraful Hasan’s over.
In the 14th over, Nahidul hit a six and a boundary off Ifar Hossain before Sohan cleared the ropes off the last ball, helping Khulna reach 100. Chattogram clawed back in the final six overs, conceding just 33 runs while taking six wickets.
Sharif and Fahad Hossain were the key bowlers, with Sharif dismissing Nahidul to end a 43-run fifth-wicket stand. Fahad removed Sheikh Parvez Rahman in the next over.
Sohan completed his fifty with a six in the 19th over but fell on the very next ball. Khulna’s innings wrapped up at 146 in 19.3 overs, with Sharif taking 4/26 and Fahad 3/20.
In response, Chattogram struggled at the top. Shahadat Hossain tried to counter-attack with a quick 23 off 14 but couldn’t carry on. At 64/5 in the 11th over, Chattogram seemed out of the contest.
Yasir and Nayeem Hasan added 55 off 38 balls, keeping their team in the hunt. Yasir smashed a six and a four off Tipu Sultan and added another four and six off Al Amin’s over, bringing the equation within reach.
However, Yasir’s dismissal off Mehedi’s bowling in the 17th over dashed Chattogram’s hopes. Nayeem’s late cameo, which included two fours and a six in the final over, only reduced the margin of defeat.
Brief Scores
Khulna: 146 in 19.3 overs (Sohan 52, Azijul 20, Mithun 16; Sharif 4/26, Fahad 3/20)
Chattogram: 139/6 in 20 overs (Yasir 37, Nayeem 34*; Mehedi 2/12, Masum 2/21)
Result: Khulna won by 7 runs.
Player of the Match: Nurul Hasan Sohan.
