Khulna, All Stars Masters into Masters Cricket Carnival final

Gemcon Group Khulna reached the final of the Masters Cricket Carnival after defeating Confidence Group Dhaka Metro by 15 runs in the semi-finals at Sheikh Kamal International Stadium in Cox’s Bazar on Saturday. In the other semi, Lanka-Bangla All Stars Masters won by six wickets against Jaj Bhuiyan Dhaka Division. The grand finale between Khulna and All Stars Masters will be played at Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.Gemcon Group Khulna v Confidence Group Dhaka MetroKhulna skipper Habibul Bashar won the toss and elected to bat. Opening batsman Jamal Babu and Bashar made a good start before the former was clean bowled for 18. In the middle part of the innings, Khulna lost wickets at regular intervals but Bashar was holding one end. He was the top-scorer for Khulna with 32 runs. Timir was the star performer for Dhaka Metro with the ball. He clinched the first five-wicket haul of the tournament, eventually finishing with bowling figures of five for 24 in three overs. Mohammad Rafique took one wicket conceding 26 runs. In reply, Dhaka Metro made a steady start. There first wicket fell on 23. In-form batsman Mohammad Rafique came to the crease at number three but managed to score only one run. After that, Dhaka Metro lost wickets in clusters, ultimately managing to score 91 losing nine wickets. NR Rahul (36) was the top-scorer for Dhaka Metro. Khulna’s Totam took three wickets. Jamal Babu was adjudged man of the match for his all-round performance.Lanka-Bangla All Stars Masters v Jaj Bhuiyan Dhaka DivisionAll Stars Masters won by six wickets against Dhaka Division. Batting first, Dhaka Division posted a challenging total of 97 in 15 overs. Most of the runs came from the willow of Mehrab Hossain Opee, who scored 57 runs. He hit four sixes during his innings. All Stars Masters pacer Hasibul Hossain Shanto claimed two wickets conceding 14 runs. In reply, All Stars Masters reached the target with three balls to spare. Opener Javed Omar Belim was unbeaten on 42 runs. Lablur Rahman scored 15. Nahid took two wickets for Dhaka Division. Belim was adjudged man of the match for his unbeaten knock.