Despite a blistering start and a thrilling final over, Minister Group Rajshahi suffered a 1-run defeat as Gazi Group Chattogram extended their unbeaten run in the ongoing Bangabandhu T20 Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today. With this win, Chattogram made it four wins out of four in the tournament. 

Needing 14 off the final over, Rajshahi batsman Rony Talukder struck Mustafizur Rahman for a six and a four but failed to secure a win for his side. Mustafizur started the final over by taking the wicket of Nurul Hasan and followed it up with two dots. But Rony then struck a six and a four, resulting in Rajshahi needing four off the final delivery. However, the right-hander could only muster two runs in the final delivery as Rajshahi suffered an agonising defeat. 

Chasing a tournament-high total of 176 for five set by Chattogram, Rajshahi openers -- Anisul Islam and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto -- gave their side a brisk start. The duo strung together a 56-run opening stand before skipper Najmul departed after a 14-ball 25 in the sixth over to Mustafizur in his first over. The ace left-arm paceman remained the pick of the bowlers for Chattogram as he finished with figures of three for 37 in his four overs. 

Anisul struck his first fifty of the tournament -- a 44-ball 58 laced with six boundaries and a maximum -- but that could not help Rajshahi register their third win in the five-team tournament.  The right-hander fell to Ziaur Rahman in the 14th over. 

Earlier, exquisite opener Liton Das scored an unbeaten 53-ball 78 -- the right hander's highest score in T20s and also the highest individual score in the tournament so far -- and another powerful 28-ball 42 from Mosaddek Hossain helped Chattogram pile up the highest total of the tournament.  

Liton's unbeaten fifty and Mosaddek blitz help Ctg post a tournament-high 176

Thanks to an unbeaten fifty from opener Liton Das and a blitz from Mosaddek Hossain, table toppers Gazi Group Chattogram posted a commendable 176 for five -- highest total in the tournament so far -- against Minister Group Rajshahi in their Bangabandhu T20 Cup encounter under lights at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today. 

Two Chattogram openers Soumya Sarkar and Liton, who have been in phenomenal touch in the five-team tournament, gave their side a bright start after being sent to bat. The opening duo stitched together a 62-run stand during which they amassed a total of 54 runs in the powerplay -- highest so far in the tournament. 

Even though Soumya departed after a 25-ball 34 in the eighth over, Liton continued till the end as he scored an unbeaten 53-ball 78, laced with nine boundaries and a maximum. Liton's 78 is the highest individual score of the tournament and also his highest T20 score.  

After a solid start provided by the openers, Mosaddek played a powerful 42-run knock off 28 deliveries, featuring two fours and as many sixes. Mosaddek fell prey to Mukidul Islam in the final over after stringing together a crucial 72-run fourth-wicket stand with Liton.

For Rajshahi, Mukidul remained the pick of the bowlers as he finished with figures of three for 30 in his four overs.