Sylhet witnesses low-scoring NCL T20 encounters

Sylhet witnessed two low-scoring contests in the ongoing National Cricket League (NCL) T20 on Friday, with Rangpur Division and Khulna Division prevailing over their respective opponents to strengthen their playoff hopes.

In the fifth-round fixtures at the Sylhet Outer Stadium, Rangpur defeated Chattogram Division by five wickets, while Khulna outplayed Barishal Division by eight wickets in the day's other game.

In the opening match, Chattogram were restricted to 138 for seven in their 20 overs despite an unbeaten 64 off 46 balls from Irfan Shukkur after being sent in to bat first. Rangpur pacer Abdul Gaffar Saqlain spearheaded the attack with figures of 3-21, while fellow seamer Mushfik Hasan picked up two wickets.

Chasing the modest target, Rangpur lost opener Anik Sarker (six) early, but Nasir Hossain (43 off 32) and Jahid Javed (39 off 32) steadied the innings with a 78-run partnership for the second wicket. Although both fell in quick succession, captain Akbar Ali (26 off 14) and debutant Iqbal Hosen (16 off six) played brisk unbeaten knocks to seal victory with two overs to spare. It was Rangpur's second win in five matches.

In the second encounter, Khulna rode on a fluent unbeaten 72 off 47 balls from Anamul Haque Bijoy, while Imranuzzaman (30) and Afif Hossain (21) provided handy support as they reached 138 for two in just 16.3 overs to secure their third win of the campaign.

Earlier, Khulna's bowlers did the groundwork, with Sheikh Parvez Jibon and Ziaur Rahman claiming two wickets apiece to limit Barishal to 137 for seven after opting to bat first.

The defeat leaves Barishal rooted to the bottom of the table with four losses in five games, their playoff hopes all but extinguished.