Mahmudul Hasan Joy struck a fifty that powered the Khulna Tigers to a dominating seven-wicket victory over the Chattogram Challengers in the Bangladesh Premier League at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Friday.

Joy scored a 44-ball 59, while Tamim Iqbal finished with 44 off 37 balls to drag the side to 159-3, with four balls to spare, in response to a humble 157-9.

Wahab Riaz was the standout bowler for Khulna, picking up 4-36.

Usman Khan scored the highest, 45 off 31 balls, for Chattogram.

Chattogram batted first and made a shaky start, losing Max O'Dowd for only 6, limiting them to 8-1 in 1.6 overs.

They could recover quickly, however, after Afif Hossain and Usman Khan shared a 44-ball, 70-run stand in the second wicket before the latter was dismissed for 45 off 31 balls by Amad Batt.

Then Afif and his partner, Darwish Rasooli, formed a 33-off-36-ball partnership to set up a moderate total before the former fell to Wahab for 35 off 31 balls.

Khulna also got off to a shaky start in response to Chattogram's modest target, as opener Munim Shariar was dismissed for a duck by Shavagata Hom.

However, the Yasir Ali-led side was able to reclaim the game after Tamim and Joy added a crucial 76-ball 104 run in the second wicket to push the side past the century mark.

However, Tamim fell to Nihaduzzand giving a catch to Afif.

Then banking on Mahmudul 59, and skipper Yasir’s unbeaten 17-ball 36, Khulna reached the target in 19.2 overs.