Khulna beat Chattogram in an intense final to become champions

Gemcon Khulna beat Gazi Group Chattogram by five runs in an intense final to become the champions of the Bangabandhu T20 Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.   

It was skipper Mahmudullah Riyad's unbeaten fifty that had set the tone for Khulna's victory today. Khulna were losing wickets at regular intervals but it was Mahmudullah, who steered his side to a commendable 155 for seven by smashing an unbeaten 48-ball 70 that featured eight fours and two maximums.

But even Mahmudullah's unbeaten knock was not without hitches along the way. The experienced campaigner struggled a bit at the beginning but compensated for the shaky start with some gorgeous looking shots at the death. He smashed Soumya Sarkar for two fours and a six in the final over, scoring 17 runs to help Khulna finish on a high note. 

After the exchange, Chattogram suffered a few early blows. Chattogram's opening pair of Soumya Sarkar and Liton Das, who have been pivotal in most of their side's triumphs throughout the tournament, failed to provide a good start.

The side that had won seven of their eight group stage matches, were left struggling at 51 for three at one stage of the game. After that, Shykat Ali, who smashed his maiden T20 fifty, and Mosaddek Hossain starred in a crucial 47-run fifth-wicket stand to take the game right down till the final over.

Mosaddek set up a thrilling end to the game by striking a six in the final ball of the penultimate over as Chattogram needed 16 off the final over with set batsman Shykat on strike. But Khulna pacer Shohidul Islam picked up wickets of Shykat (53 off 45) and Mosaddek (23 off 21) with back-to-back deliveries in the final over to help Khulna win the five-team tournament.

Riyad picks up first fifty to help Khulna post challenging 155 for seven

Gemcon Khulna skipper Mahmudullah Riyad's unbeaten fifty -- his first of the tournament -- helped his side post a challenging 155 for seven against Gazi Group Chattogram in the final of the Bangabandhu T20 Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.

Other than Mahmudullah, it was rather a sub-par batting display from Khulna, who are missing premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan for the game.

But even Mahmudullah's unbeaten 48-ball 70, laced with eight fours and two maximums, was not without hitches along the way. The experienced campaigner struggled a bit at the beginning but compensated for the shaky start with some gorgeous looking shots at the death. He smashed Soumya Sarkar for two fours and a six in the final over, scoring 17 runs to help Khulna finish on a high note. 

After being sent to bat, Khulna opener Jahurul Islam, who scored his career-best T20 score of 51-ball 80 in the first qualifier against Chattogram, amazed everyone when he tried to smash the very first ball of the match for a six but only ended up giving an easy catch to Mosaddek Hossain at mid-off off a Nahidul Islam delivery. 

Khulna batsmen then struggled to put up partnerships between them as they kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. A 40-run fourth-wicket stand between Mahmudullah and Ariful Haque was the best on the day. 

For Chattogram, spinners Nahidul and Rakibul Hasan impressed with the ball. While Nahidul finished with figures of two for 19 in his three overs, Rakibul remained the most economical. The former Under-19 left-arm spinner gave away just 19 in his four overs but unfortunately remained wicketless.

Toss: Chattogram field in final against Khulna

Gazi Group Chattogram have won the toss and elected to field in the final of the Bangabandhu T20 Cup against Gemcon Khulna today.

While Shakib Al Hasan will be missing out in the final for Khulna, they will be hoping that the experience of Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Mahmudullah Riyad shine through in this game. On the other hand, Chattogram will be relying on their youth to carry them as they have been doing throughout the tournament on their way to the final.