Rangpur retain NCL T20 title with dominant win over Khulna
Rangpur Division clinched the National Cricket League (NCL) T20 title for the second consecutive season, defeating Khulna Division by eight wickets in the final at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Batting first after losing the toss, Khulna managed 136 for 8, failing to set a challenging total. In reply, Rangpur comfortably chased down the target with three overs to spare, losing only two wickets.
Openers Jahid Hasan and Nasir Hossain provided a solid start with a 61-run partnership in seven overs. Jahid fell for 27, but Nasir continued his fluent batting, scoring 46 off 31 balls with five fours and a six – falling just four runs short of a half-century.
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Veteran Naeem Islam (40 off 32 balls) and Akbar Ali (19 off 15) guided Rangpur to an emphatic victory, sealing consecutive titles.
Earlier, Khulna's batting line-up struggled to build partnerships. Captain Mohammad Mithun top-scored with 44 off 32 balls, while Mritunjoy Chowdhury contributed 24 off 13. None of the other batters managed to reach 20.
For Rangpur, Abdullah Al Mamun was the most successful bowler, taking two wickets.
Nasir Hossain was named Player of the Final, while Akbar Ali was adjudged Player of the Tournament for his consistent performances throughout the event.
