Khulna Division earned their maiden win in the National Cricket League (NCL) T20 tournament, edging past Barishal Division by just one run in a nail-biting encounter on December 12. Captain Nurul Hasan Sohan's resilient knock earned him the Player of the Match award.

The low-scoring thriller unfolded at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, where Khulna batted first and managed to post 130 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs.

Despite a shaky start, skipper Nurul Hasan Sohan played a crucial knock under pressure, scoring 39 runs off 35 balls. Anamul Haque Bijoy recovered from a golden duck in the previous game to contribute a quick 24 runs off 18 balls, while Ziaur Rahman’s late blitz of 17 runs from 8 balls provided the much-needed push to Khulna’s innings.

Barishal's bowling was spearheaded by Kamrul Islam Rabbi, who claimed an impressive 4 wickets for just 23 runs, keeping Khulna’s batters in check.

Chasing 131, Barishal's innings started steadily, with opener Abdul Mazid anchoring the chase with a cautious 51 off 53 balls. Later, Moin Khan provided a late surge, smashing an unbeaten 43 off 27 deliveries. However, their efforts weren’t enough as Barishal ended just one run short, finishing at 129 for 9 after 20 overs.

Khulna’s disciplined bowling attack held their nerves in the death overs, with crucial contributions from multiple bowlers ensuring a thrilling finish.