Rangpur clinch NCLT20 title
Rangpur celebrate after winning NCLT20 title, Cricfrenzy
Rangpur began cautiously, scoring 13 runs without loss in the first three overs. However, they suffered a dramatic collapse, losing four wickets within the next five runs. Off-spinner Arafat Al Islam claimed two scalps, while Abu Hider Rony picked up one, and another came via a run-out.
Amidst the chaos, Ariful Islam and Tanvir Haider steadied the innings with a crucial 24-run partnership. Ariful departed for 14 runs with the team score at 42, but Tanvir, alongside Enamul Haque, added another 23 runs to guide Rangpur home.
The modest target meant Rangpur needed just a couple of steady partnerships to seal the game, which they managed despite the early scare.
Earlier, Dhaka Metro crumbled under Rangpur's fierce bowling attack, setting a meager target of 63 runs.
Mukidul Islam Mugdha and Alauddin Babu spearheaded Rangpur's bowling, dismantling Dhaka’s batting lineup, which folded for just 62 runs in 16.3 overs.
Winning the toss, Rangpur opted to bowl first and struck immediately. Dhaka’s opener Imranuzzaman departed for 4 runs in the first over, falling to Mugdha. In the very next over, captain Naim Sheikh fell for a duck, caught behind off Alauddin Babu.
Mugdha returned in the third over to claim two wickets in consecutive deliveries, dismissing Anisul Islam (3) and Aminul Islam Biplob (0).
Dhaka Metro found themselves reeling at 8/4. Babu continued the onslaught in the fifth over, removing Tahzibul Islam, while Robiul Haque delivered a maiden over in the sixth. By the end of the powerplay, Dhaka was struggling at 18/5.
Shamsur Rahman and Mosaddek Hossain attempted to stabilize the innings with a 17-run stand, but Shamsur’s dismissal for 14 runs (28 balls, 2 fours) broke their momentum. Mosaddek followed soon after, scoring 6 runs off 15 balls, leaving Dhaka at 38/7.
Abu Hider Rony and Shahidul Islam briefly pushed the score past 50, but Rony was run out after a quick 13 off 9 balls, leaving Dhaka at 52/8. The remaining wickets fell for just 10 more runs, with Shahidul contributing 6 off 16 balls and Rakibul scoring 3 off 9 balls.
Mugdha and Babu were the stars with the ball, both claiming three wickets each for just 12 runs in their respective spells. Chowdhury Rizwan, Robiul Haque, and Arif Ahmed picked up one wicket each.