Rangpur in Khulna's way
An excellent spell of pace bowling from young Mostafizur Rahman left Chittagong bewildered and has given his side Khulna a chance to lift the National Cricket League title this year.
Mostafizur's five-wicket haul ran through Chittagong's batting line-up at the BKSP and led them to an innings victory. The win put them to the top of the table with 120 points.
Abdur Razzak's side will go on to become champions provided that Rangpur or Dhaka, who are both tied at 96 points each in the second and third positions, don't score wins on the fourth and final day of the league today.
Rangpur currently lead Dhaka Metro by 302 runs at ground number two at the BKSP. They are expected to have a go at Metro on the final day in a bid to keep their title hopes alive. On the other hand, reigning champions Dhaka finished the day 276 runs ahead of Rajshahi at Fatullah. They might go for a similar attempt on the final day.
The highlight of the day though was the match between Chittagong and Khulna. Mostafizur, a young left-arm pacer—quite rare in Bangladesh's cricket—made life difficult for the Chittagonians with his 5 for 28. Chittagong, who were bundled out for 190 in the first innings were restricted to 155 in the second as Khulna won the game by an innings and 24 runs.
At the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium at Mirpur Rajin Saleh scored yet another double hundred to finish the league in style. He remained unbeaten on 201 and led Sylhet to a powerful 486 before declaring the innings. Barisal, who were bowled out for 167 in the first innings, finished on a strong 166 for 2 as Shahriar Nafees and Shahin Hossain scored half-centuries.
Scores in brief
CHITTAGONG: 190 and 155 for 9 (Tasamul 64; Mostafizur 5-28) v KHULNA: 369. Result: Khulna won by an innings and 24 runs.
Player of the match: Mostafizur Rahman.
DHAKA: 318 and 249 for 6 (Rakibul 81, Nadif 59 not out; Saqlain 3-84) v RAJSHAHI: 291 all out in 93.5 overs (Hamidul 68 not out, Myshukur 55; Mosharraf 4-94)
RANGPUR: 491 and 248 for 7 (Liton 77, Naeem 51 not out; Marshall 2-14, Elias 2-45) v
DHAKA METRO: 437 for 9 (Mehedi 138, Mehrab 103; Sohrawardi 5-88)
BARISAL: 167 and 166 for 2 (Shahriar 71, Shahin 55; Alok 1-15) v
SYLHET: 486 for 9 dec (Rajin 201 not out; Nasum 4-171)
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