Dhaka win with a day to spare

The slip cordon of Dhaka exult after the dismissal of Rajshahi captain Mushfiqur Rahim (L) on the third day of their National Cricket League match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.Photo: STAR

Dhaka became the first team to win a match in the 14th National Cricket League (NCL) after they thumped reigning champions Rajshahi by 127 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on the third day of the first-round matches yesterday. The day also witnessed the season's first double-centurion as Dhaka Metro youngster Marshal Ayub, who had an overnight score of 100, went on to surpass the double century mark against Chittagong towards the end of the day at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra.
Away at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna, Barisal's Shohag Gazi picked up seven wickets against Khulna, single-handedly demolishing the hosts. Meanwhile, the game at the Cricket Garden in Rangpur continued at a steady pace as the home team ended the day trailing Sylhet by 18 runs in their second innings.
DHAKA vs RAJSHAHI
Beginning the day on 295 for 7, Dhaka added another 27 runs and set Rajshahi a target of 260. The reigning champions though were in strife from the start of the chase, losing their first five wickets for 61 runs. They were finally bowled out for a paltry 133.
Captain Mushfiqur Rahim, who earlier did not bat on the second following a minor injury suffered from an on-field collision with teammate Saqlain Sajib, tried to resist but was caught behind in the 33rd over while trying to play a leg glance off Dhaka captain Mahmudullah Riyad.
The latter became an unlikely bowling hero for the hosts ending with figures of 4 for 29. Mosharraf Hossain Rubel was declared the man of the match for his all round effort -- top-scoring in Dhaka's second innings and picking up three wickets in the match.
DHAKA METRO vs CHITTAGONG
Marshal Ayub's double century was the highlight of the day at Bogra as he eclipsed Tamim Iqbal's 192. The Metro batsmen continued on their merry way as they made full use of a good batting track. Mehrab Hossain Jr. added his name to the centurions list with a patient 122. There was no success for the Chittagong bowlers as they managed to take only two wickets in the entire day. Dhaka, who lead by 98 runs, will look to build on their lead on the last day and hope for a Chittagong batting collapse in the second innings. The match, however, is headed for a draw.
KHULNA vs BARISAL
Barisal ended the day on 95 for 2 and are on course to achieve the 257-run target set by Rangpur, lest there's a dramatic collapse. Earlier Khulna, who had lost five wickets on the second day, recovered to post a competitive target. Shohag ran through the hosts' batting line up. The two players back in the hut were Barisal captain Shahriar Nafees and Nasiruddin Farooque, with opener Fazle Rabbi batting on 54 with Iftekhar Nayeem at the close.
RANGPUR vs SYLHET
The game in Rangpur is headed for a draw, a result likely only if the hosts stumble on the last day today. Sylhet scored 323 runs and were bowled out in the last session of the day, courtesy of half-centuries from captain Alok Kapali -- a crawling 268-ball affair -- and Rumman Ahmed. The day ended with Rangpur on 10 without loss, trailing Sylhet by 18.