Rangpur edge Dhaka by one wicket in NCL eliminator thriller

Bangla Press Desk:   In a nerve-wracking eliminator of the National Cricket League at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Thursday, Rangpur clinched a dramatic one-wicket win over Dhaka to secure a place in Qualifier 2.

Chasing a modest 124, Rangpur stumbled early, losing six wickets for just 52 runs in 12 overs. Captain Akbar Ali led the rescue act with a fighting 44 off 27 balls, adding 62 runs with Nasum Ahmed for the seventh wicket.

Nasum, who joined Rangpur after Sylhet’s exit, contributed 26 off 23 balls before being dismissed by Rayan Rafsan Rahman, who took two wickets in the 19th over. With eight runs needed off the final six balls, Akbar struck a boundary before falling, but Abdul Gaffar held his nerve, hitting two consecutive fours to seal victory in 19.5 overs.

Earlier, Dhaka managed 123 runs, thanks to Mosaddek Hossain's lone effort of 61 off 36 balls with six sixes and two fours. Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby starred with the ball, taking 3 for 14 for Dhaka, but his effort went in vain.

Rangpur will now face the defeated team of the Chattogram-Khulna clash for a spot in the final.

BP/TD