While the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 began yesterday, Bangladeshi cricketers remained in action at home in the Odommo Bangladesh T20 Cup after the national team withdrew from the global tournament citing security concerns.
Against that backdrop, Khaled Ahmed delivered a match-defining spell to set up Durbar XI’s must-win clash against Duronto XI on Saturday, with a place in the final on the line. His pace and control helped restrict Duronto to 145, before Mahmudul Hasan Joy anchored a composed chase as Durbar sealed a seven-wicket win with 15 balls to spare to qualify for the final of the three-team tournament.
Joy led the pursuit with a mature 58 off 51 balls, ensuring there were no late nerves. He was given early momentum by Habibur Sohan, whose blistering 39 from just 17 deliveries — featuring five sixes and a four — put Durbar firmly ahead of the asking rate. Although Sohan fell to Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, the damage had already been done.
Nurul Hasan Sohan, the hero of Durbar’s previous match, once again played a steady supporting role, remaining unbeaten on 28 to calmly guide his side home.
Earlier at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Khaled produced a fiery new-ball spell, finishing with figures of 4-0-23-4. Introduced in the second over, he struck almost immediately. After being hit for a pick-up six over fine leg by Jawad Abrar, Khaled responded with the same good-length delivery, tempting another attempt — this time ending in a diving catch by Afif Hossain Dhrubo at square leg.
He was not done. On the final ball of the over, Khaled dragged his length back slightly, forcing Azizul Hakim Tamim down the track. A thick under-edge flew through to wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan Sohan, leaving Duronto in disarray at 8 for 3. Khaled ended his opening spell with outstanding figures of 2-0-8-3.
Returning in the ninth over, he struck again as Mahfijul Robin, struggling for fluency, miscued a hook shot off a sharp bouncer, offering a simple catch to Allis Al Islam at short fine leg. Khaled’s fourth wicket came at the expense of Meherob Hossain, Duronto’s second-highest scorer, whose brisk 36 off 23 balls ended when he cut straight to Allis in the deep.
Hasan Mahmud provided effective support with two wickets for 27 runs, ensuring Duronto never fully recovered from their early collapse. Late resistance from Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, who smashed 18 off nine balls including two sixes and a four, lifted Duronto to a competitive 145, but it proved well short against a disciplined Durbar performance.
