Khulna Keeps Final Hopes Alive by Eliminating Chattogram

Khulna defeated Chattogram by 7 wickets in the Eliminator match of the NCL T20. Chasing Khulna's target of 146, Chattogram's innings ended at 139. To reach the final, Khulna will now face the loser of the Dhaka Metro vs. Rangpur match. Only a win in that match will secure their spot in the final.

On Saturday at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Khulna batted first after losing the toss. Opener Anamul Haque Bijoy failed yet again, getting out for just 4 runs. Azizul Hakim Tamim, the Youth Asia Cup-winning captain, scored 20 runs off 16 balls. With Mohammad Mithun dismissed for 16 and Imrul Kayes for 17, Khulna were reduced to 83/4.

Skipper Nurul Hasan Sohan then took charge, scoring a crucial 52 off 39 balls, including 6 fours and 2 sixes, to give Khulna a fighting total. However, Ahmed Sharif's sharp bowling saw Khulna lose quick wickets in the end, getting bowled out for 146 with 3 balls to spare.

Ahmed Sharif claimed 4 wickets for Chattogram, while Fahad Hossain took 3.

In reply, Chattogram lost wickets at regular intervals. Openers Mahmudul Hasan Joy (8) and Sadikur Rahman (11) were dismissed cheaply. Shahadat Hossain Dipu tried to steady the innings with a quickfire 23 off 14 balls, but Khulna's bowlers continued to dominate.

A 53-run partnership between Yasir Ali Rabbi and Nayeem Hasan briefly revived Chattogram's hopes. However, when Rabbi was caught off Mehidy Hasan Rana for 37 runs (27 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes), their chances faded.

Chattogram needed 24 runs in the final over. Nayeem hit Al Amin for a four on the first ball and managed 10 runs in the first three deliveries. With 14 required off the last three balls, a dot ball followed by a six gave Chattogram a glimmer of hope. However, they couldn't score off the final delivery and fell short by 7 runs. Nayeem remained unbeaten on 34.

For Khulna, Mehidy Hasan Rana and Masum Khan picked up 2 wickets each. Nurul Hasan Sohan was named Player of the Match for his match-winning innings.