Khulna hunting for first win
Defending champions Khulna Division were desperately looking to register their first win of the 19th National Cricket League against Barisal Division, who face a daunting task on the fourth and final day in their second round Tier 1 match at the Sheikh Abu Nasir Stadium in Khulna.
Nuruzzaman's maiden first class hundred was not enough for Barisal as they were bowled out for 258 after resuming the third day on 171 for six, handing Khulna a first innings lead of 186 runs.
Overnight batsman Nuruzzaman was the only notable performer for Barisal as he struck an unbeaten 175-ball 101, smashing eight fours and three sixes. However the right-hander found no support from the other end as Barisal were bundled out before lunch.
Pacer Al Amin Hossain and veteran left arm spinner Abdur Razzak bagged four wickets each for the bowling side.
In reply, the hosts looked for quick runs and kept the run-rate over four throughout their innings before declaring on 216 for nine after 49 overs, posting a massive 402-run target.
Nurul Hasan and first innings centurion Tushar Imran scored fifties for the hosts with the latter unbeaten on 57 off 62 balls with four boundaries and a six.
Off-spinner Sohag Gazi picked up three wickets while Kamrul Islam Rabbi and Monir Hossain took two scalps each.
Barisal ended the day's play on 32 for no loss in their second innings, needing another 370 runs to win with openers Fazle Rabbi (15 not out) and Rafsan Al Mahmud (13 not out) at the crease.
Meanwhile the Tier 2 game between Chittagong and Rajshahi is heading towards a draw at the Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium. Chittagong added 13 runs to their overnight before being bowled out for 432 in their first innings. Shariful Islam took three wickets while Nazmul Hossain and Saqlain Sajib chipped in with two each.
Rajshahi began well in reply and added 103 runs for the opening wicket before Myshukur Rahman departed after scoring 35 while skipper Jahurul Islam remained unbeaten on 75 off 119 balls to finish the day's play on 147 for one and with a first-innings deficit of 285 runs.
At the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra, Dhaka and Rangpur finally got a chance to take to the field in their Tier 1 encounter after the first two days were abandoned due to a wet outfield. However a delayed start meant that only 17 overs could be played and Rangpur ended the third day at 49 without loss with Saymon Ahmed (28 not out) and Jahid Saved (20 not out) at the crease.
Unfortunately Dhaka Metro and Sylhet's match was abandoned for the third consecutive day in Cox's Bazar without a single delivery being bowled.
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