Nayeem Dhaka's nemesis

The first day of the fourth round of the National Cricket League was dominated by spinners as Chattogram Division's young off-spinner Nayeem Hasan led the way by bagging an eight-wicket haul against Dhaka Division in the Tier-2 match at the Sheikh Kamal International Stadium in Cox's Bazar yesterday.

The 17-year-old, who registered his previous best first-class figures of six for 119 in the previous game against Dhaka Metropolis, hiked up the devastation and ended up with eight for 106 from 35 overs to help bundle out Dhaka for 288.

Despite a good start provided by Dhaka openers Saif Hasan and Abdul Mazid' 82-run first-wicket stand, the innings lost its way after their departures.

Mazid's 72 was the highest score for Dhaka while Shuvagata Hom also struck a fifty, but Dhaka were caught in Nayeem's spin web and were eventually all out below 300. Irfan Hossain and Shakhawat Hossain picked the other two wickets.

In the other Tier-2 game at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi, Sylhet ended the first day on 292 for nine, riding on fifties from Shanaj Ahmed, Zakir Hasan and Shahanur Rahman after being asked to bat by Dhaka Metropolis.

Qazi Anik, Arafat Sunny and Mohammad Ashraful took two wickets for the bowling side.

In the Tier-1 game, another off-spinner in Sohag Gazi made hay as he picked up his 21st five-wicket haul to help Barishal skittle out hosts Rangpur for just 147 after asking them to bat at the Rangpur Cricket Garden.

Opener Rakin Ahmed's 46 was the highest score while Naeem Islam added 39. Sohag ended up with figures of five for 40 from his 18 overs while left-arm spinner Monir Hossain scalped two for Barishal.

In reply, Barishal were in a spot of bother and ended the day on 35 for two with pacer Subhasish Roy picking up both wickets.

In the other Tier-1 game at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna, the hosts ended the day on 281 for seven after taking first strike against Rajshahi. Despite fifties from Anamul Haque, Soumya Sarkar and Tushar Imran, no one went on to convert the start into a big knock. Ziaur Rahman will resume the second day on 37 along with number nine Moinul Islam.

Left-arm spinner Sunzamul Islam picked up three and Forhad Reza bagged two wickets for the bowling side.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Young off-spinner Nayeem Hasan registered his best first class bowling figures in an innings as the 17-year-old bagged eight wickets against Dhaka Division yesterday. He recorded his previous best figures of six for 119 runs in his last game, during which he also recorded his best match haul of nine wickets. Left-arm spinner Saqlain Shajib holds the record for the best figures by a Bangladeshi bowler in first class cricket with nine for 82 against Zimbabwe A.

• Discarded off-spinner Sohag Gazi continued his brilliant run in the ongoing National cricket League, bagging his 21st first class five-wicket haul against Rangpur. His figures of five for 40 from his 18 overs helped his side bundle out Rangpur in just 147 runs.

SCORES IN BRIEF

KHULNA V RAJSHAHI

KHULNA: First innings 281 for 7 (Anamul 56, Soumya 66, Tushar 71, Zakir 37; Reza 2-37, Sanzamul 3-37)

RANGPUR V BARISHAL

RANGPUR: First innings 147 all out (Rakin 46, Naeem 39; Monir 2-11, Sohag 5-40)

BARISHAL: First innings 35 for 2 (Rafsan 14 not out; Subashis 2-13)

DHAKA V CHATTOGRAM 

DHAKA: First innings 288 all out (Saif 41, Mazid 72, Shuvagata 57; Nayeem 8-106)

SYLHET V DHAKA METRO

SYLHET: First innings 292 for 9 (Imtiaz 31, Shanaz 60, Zakir 50, Shahanur 54; Onik 2-53, Ashraful 2-56, Arafat 2-60)