Khulna Division registered a 36-run victory over Barisal Division in the opening cricket game of the eighth Bangladesh Games to book the first semi-final spot at the
Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra on Monday.
In the second game of the day at the same venue, Rangpur Division overcame Dhaka Division in the Super Over to clinch their semi-final berth.
Khulna rode on the back of a fine knock by opening batsman Nazmus Sadat (90 from 64 balls) to post 174-2 in their stipulated 20 overs. In reply, Barisal could only manage 138-9 in their 20 overs to bow out of the 20-over knockout competition.
Sadat along with former national opener Imrul Kayes (29 off 25 balls) put on 74 runs in their opening wicket partnership which went a long way in helping Khulna rack up a challenging total.
Tushar Imran (45 off 31 balls) ably supported by Sadat as they scripted a 94-run stand for the second wicket to continue Khulna’s authority over the game. Sadat’s innings featured a dozen boundaries and three sixes.
In pursuit of Khulna’s 174-2, Barisal never really threatened to chase down the target largely due to the bowling efforts of the Khulna duo, Murad Khan (3-19) and Dollar Mahmud (2-21).
Barisal’s Nasir Uddin Faruk and Farid Uddin Masud both chipped in with 27 runs as they eventually fell short by 36 runs.
In the other match, Rangpur chased down Dhaka’s 8-2 as they finished on 10-1 in four balls to seal their spot in the last four after the two teams were tied on an identical score of 169-7 in 20 overs.
Alauddin Babu smashed 10 runs off just two Mohammad Sharif deliveries to take Rangpur home in the Super Over after Dhaka managed only eight runs off their six balls, which was bowled by Babu.
-With New Age input
