Mohor takes Rajshahi closer
Rajshahi Division's bid for a record-equalling sixth National Cricket League title was given an immense boost by 21-year-old pacer Mohor Sheikh's maiden five-wicket haul that helped bundle out Barishal Division for 97 on the first day of the sixth and final round yesterday.
A win would confirm Tier-1 leaders Rajshahi as champions and take them level with Khulna Division on six titles.
However, there is still work to be done at the Sheikh Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi as the hosts had some batting troubles of their own, ending the day on 124 for six. Junaid Siddique was not out on 72 along with all-rounder Forhad Reza, and the duo will look to extend their 27-run lead today.
But the day belonged to Mohor, who burst through the Barishal batting in just his second first-class match, bagging five wickets for 24 runs in 13.2 overs.
Fellow 21-year-old seamer Shafiqul Islam dispatched the first three batsmen -- Shahriar Nafees, Salman Hossain and Fazle Rabbi -- with just 16 runs on the board. A brief revival followed in the form of a 31-run fourth-wicket partnership between Al-Amin and Mosaddek Hossain, but they were both dismissed by Mohor. It could have been worse for Barishal as they were at 75 for nine at one stage, but tail-ender Tanvir Islam hit a four and two sixes to add some desperate runs.
In the other Tier-1 game at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogura, defending champions Khulna were flirting with relegation after ending the day on 217 for eight against Rangpur Division. At the bottom of the Tier-1 table, Khulna need to get some bonus points or an outright win to climb above Barishal. Rangpur's pacers did the damage, with Robiul Haque taking three wickets for 34 runs and Sajedul Islam two for 59. Moinul Islam was unbeaten on 48 when bad light forced an early end to play.
At the Sheikh Kamal International Stadium in Cox's Bazar, Marshall Ayub's 17th first-class ton put Dhaka Metro in a strong position against Chattogram Division in their Tier-2 match. The former Bangladesh batsman finished the day on an unbeaten 110 off 211 balls with 10 fours and two sixes as Metro reached 265 for five. Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful scored just nine.
Also in Cox's Bazar, Sylhet Division and Tier-2 leaders Dhaka Division finished the day on equal footing. Riding on skipper Rajin Saleh's 67, Sylhet reached 220 for six at stumps. Jaker Ali will resume batting on 40 today along with Enamul Haque Jr, who was unbeaten on 14. Dhaka pacer Shahadat Hossain and off-spinner Shuvagata Hom took two wickets each.
HIGHLIGHTS
♦ In just his second first-class game, Rajshahi pacer Mohor Sheikh ran through the Barishal batting to bag his maiden five-wicket haul and help dismiss the opposition for a paltry 97. If Tier-1 leaders Rajshahi win their last-round match, it will confirm their sixth championship.
♦ Former Bangladesh batsman Marshall Ayub hit his 17th first-class century to give Dhaka Metro the early edge in their match against Chattogram.
SCORES IN BRIEF
KHULNA V RANGPUR
KHULNA: First Innings 217 for 8 (Soumya 26, Afif 22, Nurul 36, Ziaur 40, Moinul 48 not out; Robiul 3-54, Sajedul 2-39, Tanbir 2-3)
BARISHAL V RAJSHAHI
BARISHAL: First innings 97 (Al Amin 25, Mosaddek 22; Reza 2-42, Shafiqul 3-20, Mohor 5-24)
RAJSHAHI: First innings 124 for 6 (Junaid 72 not out, Jahurul 25; Kamrul 2-46, Monir 2-8)
SYLHET V DHAKA DIV
SYLHET: First innings 220 for 6 (Rajin 67, Kapali 28, Shahanur 29, Jaker 40; Shahadat 2-52, Shuvagata 2-33)
DHAKA METRO V CHATTOGRAM
DHAKA METRO: First innings 265 for 5 (Shadman 27, Azmir 35, Shamsur 29, Marshall 110 not out, Zabid 30 not out; Nayeem 2-94, Shakawat 2-76)
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