Talha, Mosharraf shine with ball

Former national pacer Talha Jubair found form at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra as he finished with figures of 8 for 35, his best in first-class cricket, against Rangpur yesterday. The bowler, who was playing his third game of the league for Dhaka Metro, claimed that the morning dew in the wicket helped him swing the ball.
"The wicket at Bogra, like majority of the others in the country is flat, but there was some movement in the early session and I utilised it by bowling in the right areas," said Talha in a telephonic conversation with The Daily Star.
Meanwhile, Mosharraf Hossain's 7 for 55 demolished league leaders Khulna at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi, with Khulna getting bowled out for 171.
Twelve wickets fell at the BKSP on the first day as Sylhet were bowled out for 218 by Rajshahi, whereas Barisal finished the first day on 189 for 6 at the Sylhet Stadium.
RANGPUR v DHAKA METRO
Rangpur were bowled out for 129 runs after a fiery spell of pace bowling by Talha left them reeling. Marshal Ayub's unbeaten 59 lead Dhaka Metro's reply as they finished the day 14 runs ahead with four wickets in hand.
KHULNA v DHAKA
In a match that could give Khulna the cup, the team's batsmen faltered against the slow-bowling of Mosharraf. He picked up seven wickets in the innings and in the process took his total tally to 30.
In reply, Dhaka reached 92 and gave away two wickets before stumps.
SYLHET v RAJSHAHI
On a wicket that seemed to have assisted the bowlers, Sylhet, after getting bowled out in the last session of the day, came back strongly as they took two wickets before the end of the day. Enamul Haque Jr took both the wickets in one over as Rajshahi ended the day on 10 for 2.
BARISAL v CHITTAGONG
Salman Hossain will be in pursuit of his first century this season as he remained not out on 90. Barisal lost their first six wickets with just 87 on the board before a seventh wicket century stand between Salman and Mohammad Shajib took the team into a decent position.
SCORES IN BRIEF
RANGPUR: First innings 129 all out in 43.5 overs (Sajedul 48, Tarik 43; Talha 8-35) v DHAKA METRO: First innings 143 for 6 in 39 overs (Marshal 59 not out; Sohrawardi 2-30, Alauddin 2-58)
KHULNA: First innings 171 all out in 59 overs (Nazmus 53, Kayes 43; Mosharraf 7-55) v DHAKA: First innings 92 for 2 in 31 overs (Rony 51 not out, Shuvagata 26; Robiul 2-38)
SYLHET: First innings 218 all out in 80.1 overs (Alok 46, Rumman 35; Forhad 4-26, Saqlain 3-35) v RAJSHAHI: First innings 10 for 2 in 7 overs (Enamul 2-0)
BARISAL: First innings 189 for 6 in 90 overs. (Salman 90 not out, Shajib 43 not out; Rezaul 2-46) v CHITTAGONG