Mahmudullah sparkles as Khulna take the title

Skipper Mahmudu-llah Riyad played the decisive hand to help Gemcon Khulna overcome Gazi Group Chattogram by five runs in the final of the Bangabandhu T20 Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

Bangladesh's T20I captain hit a polished, unbeaten 70 to fish his side out of trouble and post a competitive 155 for seven. Chattogram, led by Mohammad Mithun and the form team in the tournament, fought till the very end courtesy of a sparkling 53 from Shykat Ali, but fell short in the end.

Yesterday's final also marked the successful hosting of the second domestic tournament in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic, with the first being the 50-over BCB President's Cup in October. It sets the stage to host the West Indies for two Tests and three ODIs beginning from January next year.

The win was also Mahmudullah's first triumph in domestic T20 tournaments.

Five teams – Khulna, Chattogram, Beximco Dhaka, Minister Group Rajshahi and Fortune Barishal – participated in the Bangabandhu T20 Cup, which started from November 24.

Chattogram were by far the strongest team in the tournament, winning seven of their eight group games. However, they came up short in yesterday's final against the experienced Khulna, who also beat them in the first qualifier.