Khulna lift third crown

Khulna were crowned the cham-pions of the 14th National Cricket League (NCL) as they defeated holders Rajshahi by 33 runs at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra yesterday to win their third first-
class title.
The victory though, was marred because of allegations made by Dhaka Division's joint secretary Ali Hossain, who accused Rajshahi of 'losing the game on purpose'. Hossain alleged that the Rajshahi players threw their wickets away to effectively shut the doors on Dhaka's chance of winning the title.
Hossain however did not lodge any official complaint to the tournament committee. The tournament committee joint-secretary Hafiz Joarder denied Hossain's claims when contacted.
“I have personally talked to the match referee of the game and to the players of Rajshahi as well. There was no way that the players could have thrown the game,” said Joarder.
But the game provided plenty of suspense, if not suspicion, in the manner of Rajshahi's collapse from a winning position. Chasing a target of 187, Rajshahi stumbled to 153 all out from 102 for no loss.
Khulna's Robiul Islam and Nizamuddin Ripon inflicted the stunning collapse, sharing eight wickets between them. Robiul was adjudged man of the match for a match haul of seven wickets including four in the second innings.
In the other games, Dhaka's Rokibul Hasan scored an impressive 160 against Barisal at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi. Barisal were reduced to 55 for 6 before stumps yesterday and are headed towards defeat.
The game at Sylhet is headed towards a high-scoring draw as Tanvir Haider followed Liton Kumar's century with a 107 for Rangpur. Chittagong's Nur Hossain picked six wickets as Rangpur lead by 137 runs.
Sylhet are staring towards defeat against Dhaka Metro, at the Cricket Garden in Rangpur as they ended the day with a second innings score of 235 for eight after following on. Sylhet currently lead the game by 45 runs.
SCORES IN BRIEF
KHULNA: First innings 228 all out in 59.1 overs and second innings 180 all out in 39 overs. RAJSHAHI: First innings 222 all out in 66.1 overs and second innings 153 all out in 41.4 overs (Forhad 52, Myshukur 47; Ripon 4-24,Robiul 4-35).
Result: Khulna won by 33 runs.
Man of the match: Robiul Islam.
BARISAL: First innings 256 all out in 92.1 overs and 55 for 6 in 21 overs (Iftekhar 12; Shahadat 3-24). DHAKA: First innings 474 all out in 136.1 overs ( Rakibul 160, Rony 85; Monir 4-128).
CHITTAGONG: First innings 350 all out in 95.4 overs. RANGPUR: 487 for 9 in 139 overs ( Liton 157, Tanvir 107; Nur 6-146)
DHAKA METRO: First innings 345 all out in 96.1 overs. SYLHET: First innings 155 all out in 65.5 overs and second innings 235 for 8 in 65 overs (Rumman 82, Golam 76; Sharif 3-47).