NCL T20: Rangpur Division Secures Third Consecutive Win, Tops the Table

Rangpur Division secured their third consecutive victory in the NCL T20, defeating Sylhet by 5 wickets in a low-scoring match this afternoon. With this win, Akbar Ali’s team has risen to the top of the points table. In another match of the day, Barisal also registered a 5-wicket win, chasing down a target set by Rajshahi.

At the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet won the toss and chose to bat first, posting 120 runs for the loss of 6 wickets. Opener Jishan Alam contributed 31 runs, while Tofail Ahmed played a brilliant knock, remaining unbeaten on 50.

In response, Rangpur faced an early setback, losing both openers at just 35 runs. However, Naim Islam’s 50 runs off 35 balls steadied the chase. Abdullah Al Mamun also played a cameo, scoring 29 runs off 12 balls. Finally, captain Akbar Ali sealed the win with a knock of 11 runs from 9 balls. Rangpur chased down the target with 26 balls to spare, winning by 5 wickets and moving to the top of the points table with three consecutive wins.

In the day’s other match at Sylhet’s Outer Stadium, Barisal achieved their first victory of the tournament by defeating Rajshahi, who had posted 184 runs. Rajshahi’s top-order, including an explosive 80 from Najmul Hossain Shanto, gave them a strong start, but Barisal chased down the target comfortably.

Rajshahi, batting first, had a solid opening partnership between Najmul Hossain Shanto (80) and Habibur Rahman, who put on 89 runs before Shanto's dismissal in the 19th over. Shanto’s knock included 4 sixes and 5 fours off 54 balls. However, Rajshahi was eventually restricted to 184 runs, losing 5 wickets in the process.

In response, Barisal’s top-order dominated the chase. Abdul Majid scored 53, while Iftikhar Hossain Ifti made 35. Fazle Mahmud Rabby played a crucial innings of 56 runs, helping Barisal remain on track. Despite captain Sohag Gazi’s golden duck, Salman Hossain Imon’s 12-ball 21 and Moin Khan’s 15 runs from 3 fours helped Barisal complete the chase with 3 balls to spare, securing a 5-wicket win.