Khulna, Sylhet cruise to wins
Khulna Division and Sylhet Division sealed wins over Rajshahi Division and Dhaka Metropolis while the other two matches, between Dhaka and Rangpur and Chittagong and Barishal, were drawn on the final day of the second round National Cricket League (NCL) matches yesterday.
Khulna’s win was widely anticipated as they required just 108 runs on the fourth and final day in chase of a small 123-run target supplied by Rajshahi at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium. The hosts eventually registered their first win of the season by seven wickets.
Resuming the day on 15 for one, Soumya Sarkar finally returned among the runs and scored an unbeaten fifty as Khulna reached the target inside the first session to take the lead in the points table in Tier 1.
At the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogura, it was a brilliant comeback from Sylhet to clinch an ultimately comprehensive eight-wicket win over Dhaka Metropolis.
Despite Mahmudullah Riyad’s hundred, Dhaka were bundled out for 273 after resuming the day on 225 for six. Sylhet reached the 201-run target behind Imtiaz Hossain’s unbeaten century.
Mahmudullah, who was five runs away from his 12th first-class hundred on the third day, reached the feat quickly but since his departure on a 243-ball 111, which included six fours and a six, Dhaka could not pose much of threat.
Sylhet replied positively courtesy of Imtiaz’s 11th first-class ton and he remained not out on a 178-ball 110 with eleven fours and a six. Zakir Hasan scored 72 and a rather easy win was sealed in the Tier 2 clash.
At the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, Rangpur were eventually bowled out for 508 after resuming on 334 for five in reply to Dhaka’s mammoth first-innings 556.
Centurion Naeem Islam added 11 runs to his overnight score and was dismissed for a 324-ball 135 which featured 13 fours and a six. Sohrwawardi Shuvo remained unbeaten on 92 while Tanbir Hayder added 73. In their second essay, Dhaka could reach 10 without loss when stumps were drawn.
At the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah, Barishal survived a close shave against Chittagong to draw the game. Barishal managed to hold on and posted 174 for seven in their second innings in chase of a 336-run target at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.
Resuming the day on 50 for one, Chittagong declared their second innings on 195 for six, with opener Pinak Ghosh scoring a fifty.
In reply, Barishal found themselves in a spot of bother and lost wickets regularly. Mohammad Ashraful made 60 and was the top scorer while Shahriar Nafees added 43 as they somehow managed to negotiate the final day to rescue the game.
Like in the first innings, young off-spinner Nayeem Hasan was instrumental for Chittagong and bagged another four-wicket haul while Noman Chowdhury took two.
SCORES IN BRIEF
Dhaka v Rangpur
Dhaka: First Innings 556 for 8 declared and 10
Rangpur: First Innings 508 (Liton 122, Naeem 135, Tanbir 73, Suhrawardi 92 not out, Robiul 34; Sumon 2-92, Saluddin 3-83, Nazmul 3-146)
Result: Match drawn.
Rajshahi v Khulna
Rajshahi: First innings 261 and 170.
Khulna: First innings 309 and 123 for 3 (Soumya 50 not out, Imrul 22, Mithun 27; Shafiul 1-15)
Result: Khulna won by 7 wickets.
Chittagong v Barishal
Chittagong: 356 and 185 for 6 declared (Pinak 54, Mominul 30, Mahidul 43; Kamrul 42-2)
Barishal: First innings 216 and 174 for 7 (Nafees 42, Ashraful 60, Mosaddek 35; Nayeem 4-54, Noman 2-34)
Result: Match drawn.
Dhaka Metro v Sylhet
Dhaka Metro: 246 and 273 all out (Mahmudullah 111, Shahidul 42; Jayed 4-49, Imran 2-35)
Sylhet: First innings 319 and 204 for 2 (Imtiaz 110 not out, Zakir 72; Manik 1-25)
Result: Sylhet won by 8 wickets.
