Chattogram hammer sorry Khulna

Gemcon Khulna suffered their second defeat in three matches in the Bangabandhu T20 Cup as yet another poor display of top-order batting saw them lose convincingly by nine wickets to Gazi Group Chattogram in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Sricket Stadium Saturday.

Electing to bat first, Khulna folded for just 86 runs in 17.5 overs as their top-order did not click for the third game running.

Khulna altered the opening batting combination in order to return to winning ways as Shakib al Hasan initiated proceedings alongside Anamul Haque.

But their fortunes hardly changed as they lost their first wicket early again, Anamul (six) this time departing in the last ball of the opening over as he was caught short of the crease. 

Shakib (three) was the next batsman to get out as he was caught at mid on against spinner Nahidul Islam in the fifth over.

Skipper Mahmudullah was trapped plumb in front in the same over while Jahurul Islam (14) was dismissed three overs later.

Khulna’s plight worsened when Imrul Kayes got out for 21, while the in-form Ariful Islam (15) and Shamim Hossain Patwary (11) were unable to add respectability to the total.

Khulna were eventually all out for the lowest total in the tournament, after Beximco Dhaka were dismissed for 88 against Chattogram in their second game Thursday at the same venue.

Chattogram bowlers will be satisfied with their two outings as they bundled out both their opponents for below 100.

The port city’s Mustafizur Rahman was brilliant in the middle overs as the player of the match took four wickets conceding just five runs in 3.5 overs.

In reply, Chattogram openers Soumya Sarkar and Liton Das continued from where they had left against Dhaka, helping their side up to cruise towards the target.

Soumya got out for 26 with four fours while Liton remained unbeaten on 53 off 46 deliveries with nine fours.

Chattogram reached their destination before 14 overs to secure their second win in succession.