Rajshahi cruise after Nazmul fifty

Skipper Nazmul Hossain Shanto's crisp fifty guided Minister Rajshahi to their second consecutive win, this time by a comfortable four-wicket margin over mighty Gemcon Khulna in yesterday's first Bangabandhu T20 Cup fixture at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

Chasing a modest 147-run target on a good batting wicket, Nazmul gave the momentum right at the top with 55 off 34 balls, which included three sixes and six fours.

Adjudged player of the match, Nazmul made it look easy as the left-hander played some delightful strokes and provided a steady start.

Later, twenties from Rony Talukdar, Fazle Mahmud and Mohammad Ashraful, who was unbeaten on 25, took them to an easy win.

Earlier, Khulna skipper Mahmudullah Riyad elected to bat and, much like in their first game on Tuesday. Khulna's top order once again failed to provide the start they needed.

It was a mixture of disciplined bowling from the Rajshahi bowlers and some poor shot selection from the batsmen that prevented Khulna from posting a fighting total.

The experienced Imrul Kayes departed for his second consecutive duck while Anamul Haque, as has become the norm, looked promising at the start but he too failed to convert the start and was dismissed for 26.

Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was one again unable to make an impact with the bat. After striking two boundaries, he fell for just 12 in pretty similar fashion to his dismissal in the first game-- pulling a short ball straight to square leg.

Mahmudullah also departed early and it was the hero of the first game, Ariful Haque, who once again helped his side stave off humiliation. His unbeaten 31-ball 41, which included three sixes and two fours, and young Shamim Hossain's 35 helped Khulna post 146 for six.

Pacer Mukidul Islam picked up two wickets while Ebadot Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, and Arafat Sunny took a wicket each for Rajshahi.