Rajshahi juggernaut rolls on

The players of Rajshahi embark on a victory lap after lifting the National Cricket League title for a record fourth time in a row. They won the final of the country's lone first-class competition against Khulna by nine wickets at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday. Photo: STAR

Rajshahi posted a comfortable nine-wicket victory to maintain their supremacy in the country's lone first-class competition as Khulna surrendered meekly on the third day of the five-day National Cricket League (NCL) final at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.
The champions had missed the services of some of their regular performers this season due to the arrival of Rangpur Division, but Rajshahi's young brigade under the guidance of coach Khaled Mashud lifted the spirit of the division who clinched their fourth title in a row. This being their fifth title, the new-look Rajshahi now hold the record for the highest number of wins in the competition, stealing a march on Dhaka who have won it four times.
The five-day match frustratingly finished inside three days when Khulna lost their remaining five wickets in their second innings for only 37 runs to set a meagre 127-run winning target which the champions achieved in 22 overs for the loss of captain Forhad Reza's wicket.
Bowlers dictated terms in the final but it was not because of the wicket; rather it was a lack of patience among the batsmen as young Anamul Haque proved that one could bat long if the basics are done right.
The overnight batsman Anamul clung to the crease at one end while his teammates rallied to return to the dressing room as quickly as possible. The right-hander was not out on 58 from 97 deliveries with the help of four boundaries. Particularly frustrating for the young batter was that he failed to receive the cheque of Tk 50,000 for the competition's highest run-getter despite the fact that he scored 816 runs against Dhaka Metro's Asif Ahmed's 801 as only first and second phase performances were considered.
“It's really frustrating,” was the reaction of the young batsman.
Forhad Hossain, who was adjudged man of the final and man of the tournament for his brilliant all-round performance, once again provided the early breakthrough, removing Taposh Ghosh, who added only two runs to his overnight score of five.
And after that Khulna lost wickets like ninepins to be bundled out for 172 runs after resuming the day on 135 for five.
Forhad picked up one more wicket, that of Murad Khan, to finish with figures of three for 33 while Sanjamul Islam also captured three wickets conceding 47 runs.
In reply, Mizanur Rahman took charged to finish the game an hour before the tea break. The young opener smashed 14 boundaries and one six during his unbeaten 75-ball 80
while Forhad Hossain added an unbeaten 32 off 39 balls that featured six boundaries.
Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak took the only wicket of Forhad Reza, who made 12 runs.
SCORES IN BRIEF
KHULNA: First innings 212 all out in 53.3 overs and second innings 172 all out in 54 overs (overnight 135-5) (Ziaur 21, Imrul 47, Anamul 58 not out, Dollar 10; extras 9; Forhad Hossain 3-33, Sanjamul 3-47, Saqlain 2-38)
RAJSHAHI: First innings 258 all out in 86.2 overs and second innings 129-1 in 22 overs (Mizanur 80 not out, Forhad Reza 12, Forhad Hossain 32 not out, extras 5; Razzak 1-24).
RESULT: Rajshahi won by nine wickets.
Man-of-the-final: Forhad Hossain (Rajshahi)
Fact Box
Champions prize money: Tk 20, 00,000.00
Runners up prize money: Tk 10, 00,000.00
Highest run-scorer: Asif Ahmed (Dhaka Metro), 801 runs.
Highest wicket-taker: Enamul Haque (Sylhet), 59 wickets.
Man-of-the-tournament: Forhad Hossain (Rajshahi), 29 wickets & 574 runs.