DHAKA, Dec 21, 2024 (BSS)-Khulna clinched a seven-run victory against 
Chattogram in the Eliminator game to keep their NCL T20 final hope alive, 
after overcoming a huge scare of Nayeem Hasan at Sylhet International Cricket 
Stadium today.

Nayeem Hasan who made an unbeaten 34 off 27 threatened to take the game away 
after Khulna put up 146 all out in 19.3 overs. The bowlers however held the 
nerve to neutralize Nayeem effect successfully with Mehedi Hasan Rana leading 
the way with 2-12 in four overs to hold Chattogram back to 139-6 and put the 
team into the second Qualifier.

While Chattogram were eliminated from the race, Khulna will take on Dhaka 
Metro for a final berth.

After a shaky start, that saw them being reduced to 64-5, Nayeem and skipper 
Yasir Ali Rabbi shared 53 runs for the sixth wicket stand to edge the side 
closer to victory. 

Mehedi Hasan Rana broke through with the wicket of Yasir who blasted 37 9off 
27 with three fours and two sixes. Nayeem then single handedly took the onus 
to close out the game but Khulna bowlers maintained a tight line and length 
to stifle him at the end. He hammered three fours and two sixes for his 27 
ball-34 not out.

Earlier, Chattogram rode on captain Nurul Hasan Sohan's 39 ball-52 to post a 
challenging total on slow wicket. Sohan hit six fours and two sixes before 
being seventh batter out. 

By then he shared some small but significant partnerships to keep the side 
flowing. After his dismissal Khulna were able to add just three runs in seven 
balls with the rest of the three wickets.

Chattogram pacer Ahmed Sharif continued his rich vein of form by taking 4-26 
but at the end, it went vein.