Rangpur and Rajshahi Division sealed their places in the final of the eighth Bangladesh Games after seeing off Dhaka Metropolis and Khulna Division respectively in the semi-finals
at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra on Thursday.
Rajshahi outplayed Khulna by eight wickets while Rajshahi registered a 42-run win over Khulna courtesy of the Duckworth/Lewis method.
In the first semi-final of the 20-over competition, Khulna batted first after winning the toss and were bundled out for 97 in 17.5 overs. With the exception of former national opening batsman Imrul Kayes (45 off 32 balls), no one was able to build up any resistance.
Muktar Ali was the wrecker in chief for Rajshahi with 3-23 while Taijul Islam (2-12) and Saqlain Sajib (2-4) provided able support as Khulna failed to put up a challenging total.
In reply, Rajshahi cantered to their target in 12.5 overs losing only two wickets. Mizanur Rahman struck 56 (three fours, five sixes) in 37 balls as they were hardly troubled by the Khulna bowlers.
Meanwhile in the second semi-final, Rangpur, deciding to take first strike after winning the toss, posted 173-5 in their allotted 20 overs. Former national all-rounder Naeem Islam (60 off 41 balls) and Dhiman Ghosh (55 off 48 balls) shared a 104-run stand for the third wicket as Rangpur put up a fighting score.
In reply, Dhaka could only master 85-6 in 14.2 overs when rain brought an end to proceedings. Dhaka were 42 runs short at this stage, as they needed to be on 127-6 in order to win the tie.
-With New Age input
