Rangpur, Dhaka make headway
Rangpur Division took a first-innings lead of 62 runs with four wickets in hand in their Tier 1 clash against Rajshahi courtesy of fifties from Mehedi Maruf, Naeem Islam and Nasir Hossain on the second day of the third round of the National Cricket League match in Cox’s Bazar yesterday.
Resuming the day on 32 for two at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium Academy ground, Naeem and Mehedi added 127 runs for the third wicket before the latter was dismissed for a 232-ball 78, which featured seven fours and two sixes.
Naeem departed on 54 off 191 balls, striking six fours and a six, while Ariful Haque added 47 runs. Nasir is playing as the replacement for Rishad Hossain -- who was summoned by the selectors to join the national team’s practice game -- and utilised the opportunity. He remained unbeaten on 55 as Rangpur ended the day on 263 for six. Off-spinner Iftekhar Sajjad bagged two while left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib took a wicket for Rajshahi.
In the other Tier 1 game in Cox’s Bazar, Dhaka Division made a good reply to Khulna’s first-innings total of 371 as they ended the second day on 206 for two, trailing by 165.
Resuming the day on 290 for six, Rajshahi were bowled out after adding 81 to their overnight score. Dhaka seamer Sumon Khan and left-arm spinner Taibur Rahman bagged three wickets each.
In reply, Dhaka made a steady start riding on openers Rony Talukdar and Joyraz Sheik, who added 125 for the opening wicket before the latter departed after scoring 51.
Rony looked impressive but he departed after scoring 73 off 126, which included six fours and three sixes. Saif Hasan (41 not out) and Raqibul Hasan (38 not out) then steadied the ship and added an unbeaten 81-run third-wicket stand before stumps. Rubel Hossain and Moinul Islam bagged a wicket each for Rajshahi.
Meanwhile, the other two Tier 2 games between Barishal and Dhaka Metroplis in Bogura and the match between Chittagong and Sylhet in Rajshahi were called off without a single ball being bowled due to wet outfields for the second consecutive day.
SCORES IN BRIEF
RAJSHAHI V RANGPUR
RAJSHAHI: First innings 201 all out (Farhad Hossain 60; Rishad 5-50)
RANGPUR: 263 for 6 (Mehedi 78, Nasir 55 not out; Iftekhar 2-59)
KHULNA V DHAKA DIVISION
KHULNA: First innings 371 all out (Anamul 126; Taibur 3-41)
DHAKA: First innings 206 for 2 (Rony 73, Joyraz 51; Moinul 1-37)
