Dhaka on top after Shuvagata ton
As incessant rain barred even a ball being bowled for the second consecutive day at two venues, the two other matches of the fifth round of the National Cricket League moved apace at Rangpur and Bogura yesterday.
At the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogura, Dhaka Metro's position at the top of Tier-2 was in grave danger as they ended the second day on 59 for two, needing a further 268 runs to make Dhaka Division bat again. Dhaka's middle-order batsman Shuvagata Hom hammered his 10th first-class ton yesterday, a day after Metro declared their first innings on 59 for eight to prevent their Tier-2 rivals from gaining the 1.5 points that they would have gotten by claiming nine first-innings wickets.
Resuming the day on 167 for three after opener Rony Talukdar had hit 86 the previous day, Dhaka rode on Shuvagata's ton to drive home their advantage by piling on 386 and taking a massive first-innings lead of 327. Metro's medium pacer Shykat Ali took four for 21 while pacers Qazi Onik, Shahidul Islam and left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny took two wickets each.
At the Cricket Garden Stadium in Rangpur, Rajshahi Division's left-arm spinner Sunzamul Islam bagged his 14th first-class five-wicket haul by finishing with figures of seven for 69, but could not prevent Rangpur Division from adding 106 runs to their overnight score of 230 for five. Having taken three wickets the previous day, Sunzamul took four of the last Rangpur wickets, including the last one of Subhasish Roy to dismiss the hosts for 336.
Rajshahi's reply was painfully slow as they reached 64 for two in 41 overs. Junaid Siddique was batting on 35 off 110 deliveries along with Farhad Hossain, who was unbeaten on a 78-ball 19. Rangpur pacer Robiul Haque took both the wickets to fall.
Meanwhile the Tier-1 match between Khulna Division and Barishal Division at the Barishal Divisional Stadium, and the Tier-2 game between Chattogram Division and Sylhet Division at the Sheikh Kamal International Stadium in Cox's Bazar did not see any action because of rain for the second day in a row. With those matches likely headed for draws and all Tier-2 teams with an identical number of wins, losses and draws, Dhaka are in pole position to take top spot in the tier.
