Rangpur get first win ahead of indefinite postponement
Rangpur Division got their first win in the Bangabandhu National Cricket League (BNCL), defeating defending champions Khulna by seven wickets in a Tier 1 clash on the final day of the second round yesterday, before news broke that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had decided to suspend the tournament indefinitely due to the upsurge in Covid-19 cases.
"We have decided to suspend the league for now as a safety measure. We will observe the Covid-19 situation before thinking of starting the league again," BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury told The Daily Star today.
At the Rangpur Cricket Garden, the hosts chased down a small target of 117. With 101 needed on the final day, an in-form Nasir Hossain guided his side to the target for the loss of three wickets.
After scoring fifty in the first innings, he continued his good run with the bat and remained unbeaten on 48 while opener Jahid Javed added 37 to seal an easy win after Rangpur pacer Mukidul Islam's 12-wicket haul lay the foundation.
Mukidul bagged six wickets as Rangpur took the first-iNCnnings lead by bundling Khulna out for 221 in their first innings after posting 364 and Mukidul came back with another six wickets in the second innings to claim a maiden ten-wicket haul in first-class cricket.
The other Tier 1 game between Sylhet and Dhaka Division ended in a draw at the outer ground of the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox's Bazar.
Resuming on 183 for six in their second innings, Sylhet were bowled out for 219 but Asadulla Al Galib top-scored with 82 as they posted a huge target of 310.
In reply, Dhaka ended on 147 for five at the stumps, with Saif Hasan scoring a team-high 64 runs. Dhaka sit on top of the Tier 1 table with a win and a draw from two rounds of matches.
The Tier 2 game between Chattogram and Dhaka Metropolis also ended in a draw at the main ground of the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox's Bazar.
Chattogram declared their second innings on 234 for six to set a massive 370-run target after young Mahmudul Hasan Joy scored a team-high 78.
In reply, Dhaka Metropolis reached 148 for two at stumps to remain top of the Tier 2 table.
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