Rangpur Division successfully defended their NCL T20 title with a commanding eight-wicket win over Khulna in the final. Led by captain Akbar Ali, Rangpur restricted Khulna to a modest 136 before chasing down the target with ease, securing back-to-back championships.
Having beaten Dhaka Metro to win the title in the previous edition, Rangpur were confident going into the final. Their bowlers backed up that belief with a clinical performance after losing the toss.
Khulna’s innings got off to a disastrous start as Mohammad Imranuzzaman was dismissed for a duck in just the second ball of the match, caught at slip off spinner Nasum Ahmed. Anamul Haque Bijoy was run out shortly afterwards following a mix-up with Soumya Sarkar, who was then bowled just three balls later by Abu Hasim.
Afif Hossain, trying to steady the innings, made 14 off 10 balls before being caught and bowled by Iqbal Hossain. Sheikh Parvez Jibon fell soon after, caught by Nasum attempting a lofted shot.
A 44-run partnership between Mohammad Mithun and Mrittunjoy Chowdhury offered Khulna a brief recovery. Mrittunjoy scored 24 off 13 balls before being caught at deep midwicket off the bowling of Al-Amin Babu.
Mithun was looking dangerous on 44 from 32 balls, but was dismissed by Abdullah Al Mamun in the 18th over. Mamun also removed debutant Abhishek Das with the very next ball, creating a chance for a hat-trick which ultimately did not materialise. Despite late efforts from Nahidul Islam and Ziaur Rahman, Khulna managed only 136.
In reply, Rangpur made a strong start. Openers Nasir Hossain and Zahid Javed added 61 for the first wicket. Javed was dismissed for 27 from 24 balls, but Nasir continued with support from Naeem Islam.
Nasir was eventually dismissed for 46 off 31 deliveries, just short of a half-century. Naeem, however, remained unbeaten on 40 off 32 balls, while captain Akbar Ali contributed an unbeaten 19 from 15 deliveries.
The pair added 54 runs for the third wicket, guiding Rangpur home with a confident chase and sealing an eight-wicket victory. With this result, Rangpur celebrated their second consecutive NCL T20 title.
