Anamul Haque Bijoy struck an unbeaten 101 off 67 balls to power Khulna to a 21-run win over Dhaka in one of the day鈥檚 four NCL T20 matches at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Put to bat first, Khulna posted 180-3 after Anamul鈥檚 onslaught, which comprised 10 fours and five sixes. In response, Dhaka could muster only 159-4 in the allotted overs.
Chasing the target, Dhaka found themselves in trouble at 32-3 in 6.4 overs, but Taibur Rahman (63 off 41) and Mahidul Islam Ankon (43 off 23) gave their side some hope by forming an 87-run stand, but their efforts ultimately went in vain.
Left-arm spinner Jayed Ullah grabbed 3-13, and pacer Al Amin Hossain took one wicket.
Rajshahi fell short of four runs while chasing 199 runs against Chattogram in the high-scoring contest at the Sylhet outer ground.
Towhid Hridoy (69 off 50), Mushfiqur Rahim (46) delivered on their return to competitive cricket after injury, but it was not enough to avoid the defeat.
Right-arm spinner Nayeem Hasan successfully defended 13 runs in the final over, taking two wickets, including the prized wicket of Towhid, as Rajshahi managed 194-7.
Earlier, fifties from Mominul Haque (52) and Irfan Sukkur (54) saw Chattogram post 198-7 in the allotted overs.
Rangpur continued their perfect run as they maintained their top spot to confirm their play-off berth with a crushing seven-wicket win over Barishal at the outer ground.
Alauddin Babu took four wickets for just nine runs as Barishal were dismissed for 108 in 19.2 overs after being sent to bat first.
Rizwan Chowdhury made 53 off 44 while Abdullah Al Mamun鈥檚 unbeaten 21 guided Rangpur to five straight victories.聽
At the main ground, Mahfuzur Rabbi鈥檚 unbeaten 39-ball 82 went in vain as Dhaka Metro extended their winning streak and confirmed play-off berth as the second team by defeating Sylhet by one run.
Needing 24 runs in the final over while chasing 156, Rabby failed to take Sylhet home despite hitting three sixes off Shohidul Islam.
Batting first, Metro scored 156-7 in 20 overs, boarding on Abu Hider Rony鈥檚 defiant 23-ball 4.聽
Anisul Islam and Shamsur Rahman Shuvo also contributed 39 and 28 runs, respectively.聽
