Avishek powers Khulna into NCL T20 final

All-rounder Avishek Das Aronno's quickfire knock powered Khulna Division to the final of the National Cricket League (NCL) T20 after they beat Chattogram Division by four wickets in DLS method in the first qualifier at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

The former Under-19 World Cup winner, who returned to competitive cricket through NCL T20 after a long injury layoff, struck an unbeaten 27 off 11 balls with three fours and two sixes and shared an unbroken 51-run stand with Nahidul Islam (21 not out off nine balls) to guide their side to 81-6 in 8.3 overs in the rain-marred encounter.

Earlier, chasing 149, Khulna reached 3-1 in 2.1 overs when rain interrupted the contest. Later, they were given a revised target of 78 runs in nine overs.

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Chattogram's Ahmed Sharif and Hasan Murad then took two wickets each to reduce Khulna to 30 for six in 5.1 overs before the late surge from Avishek and Nahidul powered their side home with three balls to spare.

Earlier, skipper Yasir Ali struck an unbeaten 45 off 37 balls while Irfan Shukkur contributed 39 runs as Chattogram posted 148-6 in 20 overs after they were sent into bat.

The defeated Chattogram will now take on reigning champions Rangpur Division in the second qualifier on Friday at the same venue.

Rangpur, earlier on the day, beat Dhaka Division by one wicket in a thrilling eliminator at the same venue to knock out Dhaka.

Chasing 124, Rangpur found themselves in a mess, losing six wickets for 52 inside 12 overs.

Skipper Akbar Ali then shared a 62-run stand with Nasum Ahmed to bring the chase back on track.

Nasum was dismissed after making 26 off 23 balls but Akbar carried on till the second ball of the final over from pacer Ripon Mondol, departing as the ninth Rangpur batter after making 44 off 27 balls.

Rangpur still needed four runs in the final four deliveries with only one wicket in hand. After two singles in the next two balls, Rangpur No.11 Abdul Gaffar Saqlain hit the winning four to take their side into the second qualifier.

Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby was the most successful bowler for Dhaka, picking up 3-14, while Nazmul Islam, Ripon and Rayan Rahman took two wickets each.

Earlier, despite Mosaddek Hossain's valiant 61 off 36 balls with two fours and six sixes, Dhaka were bowled out for 123 runs in the last ball of their innings after electing to bat first.

Nasum, Abu Hasim, Nasir Hossain and Alauddin Babu all took two wickets each for Rangpur.