Gemcon Khulna picked up their fourth win of the tournament with a five-wicket win over Rajshahi in today's evening game of the Bangabandhu T20 Cup at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.
Khulna made their task difficult as they lost crucial wickets following a good opening partnership but captain Mahmudullah Riyad was on hand to guide his side to victory with a 19-ball 31.
In chase of Rajshahi's 146, opener Jahurul Hasan and Zakir Hasan put on a 56-run partnership before the latter miscued a pull shot to fall after a 20-ball 19. Jahurul, who was finding the boundary pretty regularly was removed following a soft dismissal as he flicked a Farhad Reza delivery straight down the throat of Rony Talukdar at midwicket.
Imrul Kayes shuffled across his crease to play Mukidul Islam towards the leg side but was leg-before following a 20-ball 27 as the pressure started to creep on. Then Shakib Al Hasan, who had a below-par tournament with the bat so far, dragged a Mohammad Saifuddin delivery onto his stumps next over as Khulna stumbled to 100 for four.
Mahmudullah Riyad played a captain's knock, coming in under pressure and batting with intent and authority to pull his side over the ropes with a 31-run knock off 19 deliveries with three fours and a six. Ariful Haque remained unbeaten at the other end on 10 off nine deliveries.
Mukidul was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets for 31 runs in 3.2 overs.
Earlier, a strong finish from Nurul Hasan Sohan ensured that Rajshahi managed 145 for five in today's evening match of the Bangabandhu T20 Cup against Mahmudullah Riyad-led Gemcon Khulna.
Asked to bat first, Rajshahi were off to a breezy start, thanks to captain Nazmul Hossain's positive 38-ball 55, laced with six fours and two sixes.
Having lost opener Anisul Islam in the second over, Nazmul took the attack to Khulna, going after Shohidul Islam in particular. Dropped on 31 by Shuvagata Hom at point in the eighth over off pacer Hasan Mahmud, Nazmul completed his fifty in 33 deliveries.
However despite Nazmul's knock, no meaningful partnership developed at the top as Rony Talukder (14 off 17) and Mahedi Hasan (9 off 15) were removed cheaply before Nazmul himself fell trying to clear the ropes against Mahmudullah. Fazle Mahmud then fell for nine and Khulna were in the driving sit.
Nurul, who came in at number six, hit pacer Al Amin for two fours and two sixes in the 19th over which saw 22 runs conceded, as Rajshahi were able to put some pressure on the bowlers. Nurul remained unbeaten on 21-ball 37 during a 52-run sixth-wicket unbeaten stand with Jaker Ali (15 off 19) as Rajshahi finished strongly.
Shuvagata bagged two wickets for 25 runs in his three overs while all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan once again bowled economically, conceding 17 in his four overs without picking up a wicket.
Toss
Gemcon Khulna have won the toss and decided to field against Rajshahi in the evening match of the Bangabandhu T20 Cup today.
Khulna, who are joint-second in the standings with Bexico Dhaka, have three wins from five games. The Mahmudullah Riyad-led side went into the match with the same XI that played the last time they played against Rajshahi.
The big news coming from Riyad's Khulna is that Mashrafe Bin Mortaza will be featuring for their side for the rest of the tournament. The pacer joined Khulna following a lottery today.
Having lost three games on the trot, Rajshahi are currently fourth in the standings and will be hoping to come back into winning form with a victory against Khulna.
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