Bijoy's ton, Hridoy's fight, and Rabbi's blitz light up NCL T20
Khulna defeated Dhaka, Rangpur extended their dominance with a fifth consecutive win, Chattogram edged past Rajshahi in a thriller, and Metro survived a late blitz from Rabbi to edge Sylhet.
Anamul Haque Bijoy's century, Towhid Hridoy's valiant knock, and Mahfuzur Rahman Rabbi's sensational 82 off 39 balls took centre stage in Tuesday's National Cricket League (NCL) T20 clashes.
Khulna defeated Dhaka, Rangpur extended their dominance with a fifth consecutive win, Chattogram edged past Rajshahi in a thriller, and Metro survived a late blitz from Rabbi to edge Sylhet.
Anamul's century powers Khulna past Dhaka
Khulna Division claimed a 21-run victory over Dhaka Division, driven by Anamul Haque Bijoy's outstanding unbeaten century.
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Bijoy anchored the innings to take Khulna to a commanding 180/3 at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Batting first, Khulna started cautiously as Imrul Kayes (14) and Azizul Hakim (18) offered limited contributions, while Mohammad Mithun fell without scoring.
At 91/3, Bijoy partnered with skipper Nurul Hasan Sohan, adding an unbroken 89-run stand off just 8.4 overs.
Bijoy reached his century in the final over, finishing on 101 off 67 balls with 10 fours and 5 sixes. Sohan's unbeaten 34 off 23 balls provided valuable support.
Dhaka's chase faltered early, losing three wickets for 32 runs. Despite a steadying effort from Ariful Islam (19), they found themselves struggling at 72/4.
Taibur Rahman (63 not out off 41) and Mahidul Islam Ankon (43 off 23) built an 87-run partnership, but their efforts fell short. Zayed Ullah's three wickets ensured Dhaka finished at 159/6, handing Khulna a comfortable win.
Rangpur make it five in five with win over Barishal
Rangpur Division continued their dominant form, securing their fifth consecutive victory by defeating Barishal with ease.
Chasing a modest target of 109, Rangpur reached the finish line with 13 balls and 7 wickets to spare.
Barishal, batting first, were bowled out for 108 with four deliveries left. Iftikhar Hossain Ifti top-scored with 25 runs off 31 balls, while Fazle Mahmud (15 off 8), Moinul Islam (14 off 11), and Kamrul Islam Rabbi (15 not out off 24) contributed small scores.
Barishal's innings never gained momentum as Rangpur's bowlers applied consistent pressure.
Chowdhury Mohammad Rizwan led Rangpur's chase with a composed 53 off 44 balls, smashing 5 sixes and 2 fours. Abdullah Al Mamun (21 not out) and skipper Akbar Ali (16 not out) ensured there were no late hiccups.
Naim Islam earlier chipped in with 16 runs. With 10 points from 5 matches, Rangpur sit firmly at the top of the table, while Barishal remain in third place.
Hridoy and Mushfiq's efforts fall short as Chattogram edge Rajshahi
Despite heroic efforts from Towhid Hridoy and Mushfiqur Rahim, Rajshahi Division fell 4 runs short against Chattogram Division in a high-scoring thriller at Sylhet Academy Ground.
Chattogram posted a formidable 198/7 after recovering from a slow start.
Mahmudul Hasan Joy fell early for 11, but Mominul Haque (52 off 36) and Shahadat Hossain Dipu (35 off 15) stitched together a crucial 73-run partnership off just 33 balls.
Dipu's quick-fire innings included 3 sixes and 2 fours, while Mominul struck 5 fours and 3 sixes. Late fireworks from Irfan Sukkur (54 off 29) and Nayeem Hasan (20 off 10) propelled Chattogram to a strong total.
Rajshahi's reply began shakily as Nazmul Hossain Shanto departed early for 4. Habibur Rahman Sohan counter-attacked with a blistering 39 off 20 balls, but it was the 102-run partnership between Mushfiqur (46 off 31) and Hridoy (69 off 50) that brought Rajshahi back into contention.
Needing 13 off the final over, Rajshahi lost three wickets while managing only 8 runs. Ahmed Sharif claimed 3 wickets for Chattogram, while Nayeem Hasan took 2 crucial dismissals.
Mahfuzur Rabby's 82 off 39 falls just short as Sylhet lose to Metro
Metro Division edged Sylhet Division by 1 run in a dramatic finish, surviving Mahfuzur Rahman Rabbi's extraordinary 82 off 39 balls.
Chasing a modest target of 157, Sylhet were reeling at 78/7 before Rabbi's heroics nearly turned the game around.
In the final over, with 24 needed, Rabbi smashed Shahidul Islam for three sixes but fell short as Sylhet managed only 22 runs. Rabbi remained unbeaten on 82, hitting 6 sixes and several fours in a fighting innings that pushed Sylhet to the brink of victory.
Earlier, Metro struggled with the bat after Naim Sheikh's early dismissal. Anisul Islam Imon (39) and Abu Hider Rony (47 not out off 23) held the innings together as Metro reached 157/7.
Abu Hider starred with the ball as well, picking up 2 wickets for 36 runs in his 4 overs, earning the man of the match award.
Despite Rabbi's brilliance, Sylhet ultimately fell short by a single run, leaving Metro victorious in a pulsating encounter.
