Fizz’s four wickets and Liton fifty help Chattogram crush Khulna

It was all too easy for Gazi Group Chattogram in their Bangabandhu T20 Cup encounter against Gemcon Khulna today. After star pacer Mustafizur Rahman's four wickets helped Chattogram bundle out a star-studded Khuna for 86 -- the lowest total of the five-team tournament so far -- a blistering unbeaten fifty from stylish opener Liton Das saw Chattogram chase down the meagre total in just 13.4 overs as the Mohammad Mithun-led side registered a thumping 9-wicket victory at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

Brimming with confidence after their nine-wicket victory against Beximco Dhaka in their opening game, Chattogram strolled past Mahmudullah Riyad-led Khulna today as they made it two wins out of two in the tournament. 

After sending Khulna to bat, Chattogram bowlers never gave breathing space to Khulna batsmen. The big names of Khulna failed yet again with only Imrul Kayes scoring a team high of 26-ball 21 as only three other batsmen could cross double figures. 

Ace left-arm pacer Mustafizur, the only Grade A player in Chattogram's squad, ran riot after being introduced in the sixth over. The left-armer finished with impressive figures of four for just five runs in his 3.5 overs. He also scalped the wicket of Ariful Haque, who shone with the bat for Khulna in their previous two matches, after the right-hander scored a 30-ball 15.

Chattogram spinners Nahidul Islam and Taijul Islam also picked up two wickets each.

It was rather a walk in the park for Chattogram batsmen afterwards. Two destructive openers -- Soumya Sarkar and Liton -- starred in a 73-run opening stand. While Soumya was dismissed after a 29-ball 26, Liton remained unbeaten for 53 off 46 deliveries as Chatogram got over the line with 38 balls to spare.  

For Khulna, premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan shone with the ball. The 33-year-old remained wicketless but gave away just 14 runs in his four overs that also featured a maiden. The top all-rounder however today became only the second player after West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo to have reached the double of 5000 runs and 350 wickets in the format. 

Shakib, who had already scalped 355 wickets in T20s, reached the milestone of 5000 T20 runs in today's game but the 33-year-old departed soon after achieving the feat. 

-- Fizz's four help Chattogram bundle out Khulna for a tournament-low 86 --

Gazi Group Chattogram star bowler Mustafizur Rahman ran riot as he picked up four wickets to help his side bundle out a star-studded Gemcon Khulna for a meagre 86 -- the lowest total in the tournament so far -- in the fifth match of the Bangabandhu T20 Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.

Mustafizur, the only Grade A player of Chattogram, made it difficult for Khulna batsmen since being introduced in the sixth over. After giving away just two runs in his first over, the left-armer picked up the wicket of Shamim Hossain in his second over giving away just a single run in that over. 

The left-armer bamboozled the Khulna batsmen with his cutters as he finished with impressive figures of four for just five runs in his 3.5 overs. He also scalped the wicket of Ariful Haque, who shone with the bat for Khulna in their previous two matches, after the right-hander scored a 30-ball 15. 

It was yet another poor batting display from the Mahmudullah Riyad-led Khulna. Imrul Kayes' 21 off 26 deliveries remained the top score of Khulna as only three other batsmen reached double figures on the day. 

Khulna's top all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who returned to cricket after a year-long ban, scored three off seven deliveries. The top all-rounder however today became only the second player after West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo to have reached the double of 5000 runs and 350 wickets in the format. 

Shakib, who had already scalped 355 wickets in T20s, reached the milestone of 5000 T20 runs in today's game but the 33-year-old departed soon after achieving the feat. 

For Chattogram, spinners Nahidul Islam and Taijul Islam picked up two wickets each. 

-- Chattogram elect to bowl against Khulna -- 

Mohammad Mithun-led Gazi Group Chattogram won the toss and elected to bowl against Gemcon Khulna in the fifth match of the ongoing Bangabandhu T20 Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today. 

Khulna, who lost their last game against Minister Group Rajshahi by six wickets, made one change in their squad today. Khulna skipper Mahmudullah Riyad informed during toss that they rested pacer Shafiul Islam to bring in a young pacer Hasan Mahmud. 

Chattogram go in with an unchanged squad.

Khulna looked to be the strongest side on paper after the players' draft concluded. Led by Bangladesh T20 skipper Mahmudullah Riyad, Khulna also boast the likes of premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan -- who made his return to cricket through this tournament after serving a year-long ban -- and other national stars like Anamul Haque, Imrul Kayes.

However, they have failed to live up to the hype and their star power went unseen in their first two games.

Khulna, going up against a Chattogram side that started their campaign by demolishing Mushfiqur Rahim's Dhaka by nine wickets on Thursday, will be facing their toughest challenge so far in the tournament. Chattogram, inspired by magnificent batting displays from Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar in their opening game, will be hoping their mixed bag of domestic and national talents do the trick once again today.