Dhaka beat Khulna to reach BPL final

DHAKA: Dhaka Gladiators qualified for the final defeating Khulna Royal Bengals by nine runs in a high-scoring match of the Bangladesh Premier League here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday.

Dhaka Gladiators will meet Barisal Burners in the final, to be played on Wednesday.

Chasing a daunting target of 192, Khulna made 182-7 falling ten runs short despite a courageous batting display by captain Shakib Al Hasan who remained unbeaten on 87.

During a 41-ball innings, he struck nine boundaries and four towering sixes including two off the last balls of the match.

He was well supported by Nasir Hossain, who contributed 35.

For Dhaka, Elias Sunny took three wickets for 30.

Earlier, Dhaka batted first after winning the toss and amassed 191 for four in the allotted 20 overs.

Allrounder Azhar Mahmood top scored with 65 from 39 balls, hitting three sixes and six fours while Mohammad Ashraful was 47 not out and opener Imran Nazir made 41.

Geo Super showed the match live from Mirpur, Dhaka.