Rajshahi Division produced a dominant performance to thrash Khulna Division by eight wickets, chasing down a target of 172 in just 16.1 overs during their NCL T20 clash. The highlight of the match was a blistering 94-run knock by Habibur Rahman Sohan, who narrowly missed out on a well-deserved century.
Chasing the target, Rajshahi’s innings was defined by a sensational 148-run stand off just 76 balls between Habibur Rahman and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. Habibur hammered 94 off 45 deliveries, smashing 10 fours and one six, finishing with a strike rate of nearly 209 before being bowled by Rabiul Haque, just six runs short of his maiden T20 hundred.
Shanto, on the other hand, remained unbeaten on 65 off 39 balls, striking eight boundaries and two sixes, with a strike rate of 167. Their partnership made light work of the chase, as Rajshahi sealed the win with 23 balls to spare, ending on 172 for 2 in 16.1 overs.
Earlier, Khulna were sent in to bat after losing the toss and suffered an early collapse. Imranuzzaman was dismissed for a duck by Nihaduzzaman, while Anamul Haque Bijoy managed just 2 off 3 balls before being trapped lbw by Meherob Hasan. Captain Mohammad Mithun also fell cheaply, scoring 9 off 9 as Khulna were reduced to 13 for 3.
The innings was revived by a powerful partnership between Soumya Sarkar and Afif Hossain Dhrubo, who added 117 runs off 72 balls. Soumya led the counter-attack, blasting 63 off 34 balls with 6 fours and 4 sixes, maintaining a strike rate of 185.29, before being dismissed by Shanto.
Afif took a more measured approach, reaching his half-century off 45 balls, before falling in the very next over for 50, which included three fours and three sixes. After their departure, Khulna’s momentum stalled.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with 10 off 6 (2 fours) before being removed by Nahid Rana, while Nahidul Islam added an unbeaten 17 off 11 balls, striking one four and one six.
Khulna ended on 171 for 7 in 20 overs. For Rajshahi, Nihaduzzaman took 2 wickets, while Shanto bowled three overs for 25 runs, picking up one key wicket.
Despite a competitive total from Khulna, Rajshahi’s top-order onslaught left little doubt about the result, as they secured a commanding victory in under 17 overs.
