Published on 12:00 AM, January 12, 2020

Najmul ton guides Khulna

Khulna Tigers opener Najmul Hossain Shanto jumps into the air in celebration of his century during yesterday’s second BBPL match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. The left-hander recorded the first above hundred score (115 not out) by a Bangladeshi batsman in this edition of the BPL as Khulna posted an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Dhaka Platoon with eleven balls remaining. Earlier, Mominul Haque’s 91-run innings propelled Dhaka Platoon to 205 runs. Photo: Firoz Ahmed
Sports Reporter

Khulna Tigers opener Najmul Hossain Shanto became the first local player to score a century in the ongoing Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BBPL) during his side’s eight-wicket win over Dhaka Platoon under lights at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

The left-hander remained unbeaten on 115 runs off just 57 balls to register his maiden T20 ton with the help of seven sixes and eight fours as Khulna chased down the huge 206-run target posted by Dhaka with eleven balls to spare. It was the highest ever successful run chase in BPL history.

With this win, Khulna climbed to second position on the points table, just behind Rajshahi Royals despite having an equal eight wins in twelve games due to the net run rate. The two sides will face off in the first qualifier tomorrow evening.

Chattogram Challengers also have eight wins out of twelve matches, however, they hold third position due to their net run rate and will take on the fourth placed Dhaka in the eliminator tomorrow.

The winner of the eliminator match will face the losing team of the first qualifier on January 15 while the final is scheduled for January 17.

In chase of the daunting target, Khulna made a flying start as Najmul and Mehedi Hasan Miraz paired up to add a quick 70 runs for the opening stand. Miraz was eventually dismissed on 45 runs off 25 balls but Najmul went on to register his maiden T20 hundred off 51 balls.

Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim remained not out with 18 at the other end as Najmul struck the winning boundary to seal a fantastic win for Khulna.

Earlier, Dhaka posted a big 205 for four total in their allotted 20 overs, courtesy of a 59-ball 91-run knock from opener Mominul Haque. Mominul, along with Mahedi Hasan, added 153 runs for the fourth wicket with the latter remaining unbeaten after a quick-fire 68 off 36 balls to help post the huge total, which however ultimately went in vain.

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