Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 5th National Cricket League
Dhaka still lead
Sports Reporter
All matches on the final day of the Ispahani Tea Fifth National Cricket League ended as draws but the real losers were leaders Dhaka as they dropped their first points in the longer-version form of the first-class competition yesterday. A day after rain washed out play in all three third round matches across the country, Khaled Mahmud's team lost four valuable first innings points against hosts Sylhet, who were dismissed for only 66 in their second essay. Elsewhere, Khulna wicketkee-per-batsman Hasibul Haq dug himself in to make 75 off 365 balls as the holders managed to escape against Chittagong while lowly Barisal earned all four first innings points against visitors Rajshahi. DHAKA V SYLHET Mohammad Rafique and Naimur Rahman worked their magic to share six wickets as the two Dhaka spinners ripped the heart out of Sylhet's batting order. But they will rue having lost a day's play because Dhaka could only manage to take add a further 104 runs to their overnight 147-5 chasing Sylhet's 331. National discard Sanwar Hossain hit 88. Slow left-armer Rafique conceded only 24 runs in 20 overs for his three wickets while off-spin partner Naimur captured three for seven in 9.4 overs. Set to score an improbable 147, Dhaka reached 16 without loss in four overs when the bails were finally removed. Dhaka collected two points from the drawn match to raise their tally to 14 points while Sylhet jumped to the third spot securing ten points. Rezaul Haq Nayeem of Sylhet was adjudged man-of-the-match. KHULNA V CHITTAGONG Hasibul's stubborn display spoiled Chittagong's hopes of taking a first innings lead. The young right-hander hit four boundaries as Khulna, resuming the day four at 81-4, scored 215 for five in reply to Chittagong's mammoth 389. Middle-order batsman Asadu-llah Khan was the other notable contributor with patient 61.During his 203-ball vigil he hit eight boundaries. They shared 110 runs for the fifth wicket. Spinner Sabbir Khan took two for 64 for the port city team. Khulna raised their tally to 11 points while Chittagong secured eight points. Hasibul was adjudged man-of-the-match. BARISAL V RAJSHAHI Bangladesh wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud made a gritty unbeaten 73 as Rajshahi scored 232-5 in their second innings at stumps against Barisal. But Barisal bagged still four points by virtue of taking a first innings lead when they scored 266 in reply to Rajshahi's 190 at the Barisal Stadium. Imran Ahmed of Barisal was adjudged man-of-the-match for his brilliant 152.
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