Kamrul gives Barishal sight of a win

HIGHLIGHTS

- National discard Kamrul Islam gave Barishal control of their game against Sylhet as the pacer took six wickets for just 24 runs.

Pacer Sumon Khan registered a maiden five-wicket haul to help Dhaka Division take the first innings lead over Rajshahi. The right-arm seamer was instrumental and ended with figures of 5 for 50 from 27 overs.

- Despite no play being possible on the majority of the first two days due to rain and a wet outfield, Barishal managed to take control against Sylhet -- who are trailing by 118 runs with eight wickets in hand in their second innings after being bundled out for just 86 in their first innings.

National discard Kamrul Islam bagged six wickets with his fiery pace bowling yesterday to leave Barishal eyeing a win on the fourth and final day of the National Cricket League game at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi.

Sylhet ended the day on 27 for 2 after Barishal took a first-innings lead and declared for 231 for eight, riding on fifties from skipper Fazle Mahmud (70) and Shahriar Nafees (63)

After resuming the third day on 68 for three in their first innings, Sylhet faced the music from Kamrul, who scalped his second fifer in first-class cricket and ended with figures of six wickets for 24 runs from 16.1 overs.

At the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah, Dhaka Division were in control and leading Rajshahi by 249 runs in their second innings.

After scoring a team-high 88 in the first innings, left-hander Taibur Rahman remained unbeaten on 67 while Raqibul Hasan added 65 for Dhaka, who ended the day on 206 for six. Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam took three wickets for Rajshahi.

Earlier, Rajshahi resumed the day on 173 for six and were bowled out for 197 courtesy of brilliant bowling from right-arm seamer Sumon Khan, who registered his maiden five-wicket haul.

The game between Rangpur and Khulna game at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna was heading for a draw as the hosts ended the third day on 192 for three in their first innings.

Resuming the day on 169 for five, Rangpur were bowled out for 227 in their first innings. Tanbir Hayder top-scored with 64 and Sohrawardi Shuvo scored fifty. Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak bagged four wickets.

In reply, Khulna openers Robiul Islam and Imran Uzzaman added 136 for the first wicket. Both openers were dismissed in the seventies, leaving Imrul Kayes on 29 to resume on the final day.

Meanwhile, a 148-run eighth-wicket stand between Zabid Hossain and Shahidul Islam helped Dhaka Metropolis take a first innings lead over Chattogram at the Sher-e-Bangla National in Dhaka.

Both were unbeaten in the eighties after Dhaka resumed on 66 for two and were struggling on 201 for seven. Chattogram's young leg-spinner Minhajul Abedin Afridi scalped three wickets.

SCORES IN BRIEF

CHATTOGRAM V DHAKA METRO

CHATTOGRAM: First innings 290 (Tasamul 90; Sunny 6-87,)

DHAKA METRO: First innings 349 for 7 (Shahidul 82 not out, Zabid 81 not out; Afridi 3-103)

DHAKA V RAJSHAHI

DHAKA: First innings 240 and 206 for 6 (Taibur 67 not out; Taijul 3-82)

RAJSHAHI: First innings 197 all out (Mushfiqur 75, Jahurul 64; Sumon 5-50)

RANGPUR V KHULNA

RANGPUR: First innings 227 all out (Tanbir 64, Shuvo 50; Razzak 4-81)

KHULNA: First innings 192 for 3 (Robiul 76, Imran 71; Mahmudul 1-9)

SYLHET V BARISHAL

SYLHET: 86 and 27 for 2 (Imtiaz 14 not out; Tawhidul 1-2)

BARISHAL: First innings 231 for 8 decl (Fazle 70, Shahriar 63; Rejaur 3-74)