SPORTS REPORTER

All-rounder Avishek Das Aronno’s quickfire knock powered Khulna Division to the final of the National Cricket League (NCL) T20 after they beat Chattogram Division by four wickets in DLS method in the first qualifier at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

The former Under-19 World Cup winner, who returned to competitive cricket through NCL T20 after a long injury layoff, struck an unbeaten 27 off 11 balls with three fours and two sixes and shared an unbroken 51-run stand with Nahidul Islam (21 not out off nine balls) to guide their side to 81-6 in 8.3 overs in the rain-marred encounter.

Earlier, chasing 149, Khulna reached 3-1 in 2.1 overs when rain interrupted the contest. Later, they were given a revised target of 78 runs in nine overs.

Chattogram’s Ahmed Sharif and Hasan Murad then took two wickets each to reduce Khulna to 30 for six in 5.1 overs before the late surge from Avishek and Nahidul powered their side home with three balls to spare.

Earlier, skipper Yasir Ali struck an unbeaten 45 off 37 balls while Irfan Shukkur contributed 39 runs as Chattogram posted 148-6 in 20 overs after they were sent into bat.

The defeated Chattogram will now take on reigning champions Rangpur Division in the second qualifier on Friday at the same venue.

Rangpur, earlier on the day, beat Dhaka Division by one wicket in a thrilling eliminator at the same venue to knock out Dhaka.

Chasing 124, skipper Akbar Ali’s 44 off 27 took Rangpur close to the finish line. But after he was out in the second ball of the final over, No.11 batter Gaffar Saqlain hit the winning four to take them home in 19.5 overs.