Khulna ensure playoff spot with easy win over Cumilla

And the final four of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 2019-20 has been decided as Khulna Tigers have beaten Cumilla Warriors by 92 runs.

This was a do-or-die match for Cumilla as they had to win to keep their hopes alive for a playoff spot but they failed miserably as they fell short by 92 runs chasing 219.

Mushfiqur Rahim was adjudged man of the match for his incredible knock of unbeaten 98 runs.  

This win takes Khulna up to the second spot in the points table with 14 points whereas Cumilla have ensured staying at number five with 10 points. 

Winning the toss, Cumilla Warriors skipper Dawid Malan decided to field first and the decision looked right as Khulna managed to score only 44 in the powerplay losing two wickets. 

Nazmul Hossain Shanto was sent back in the very first over of the game as debutant Ifran Hossain trapped him LBW before Rilee Rossouw was sent back by Mujeeb-ur-Rahman. But from then on, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim started a show as they put on a brilliant 168-run stand. Mehidy picked up his fifty off 33 balls and despite starting slowly, Mushfiq picked up his fifty off 38 balls and started to steam-roll the Cumilla bowlers. 

Miraz had to go back with a cramp in his left leg for 74 off 45 deliveries but Mushfiqur went on and looked set to clinch his maiden T20 hundred. Mushfiq needed three to get his hundred in the last delivery of the innings but could only manage one as he stayed unbeaten on 98. Khulna finished on 218-2.

Chasing a massive target of 219, Cumilla lost their opener, Sabbir Rahman, in the third delivery of their innings and continued to lose wickets throughout their innings. They lost Stiaan Van Zyl and skipper Malan within the powerplay. 

The procession of batsmen did not stop even after the powerplay as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Upul Tharanga was the next to go for 32 in the ninth over before Soumya Sarkar was sent back for an uncharacteristic 10 off 17 deliveries to reduce Cumilla to 76-5.

Cumilla lost four more wickets in the remaining overs as they ended their innings on 126-9. 

Shohidul Islam picked up three wickets with Amir and Aminul Islam picking up a couple and Robbie Frylinck and Shamsur Rahman picked up a wicket each.