Batsmen return to the fore

On the second day in the second round of the 20th National Cricket League (NCL), the batsmen once again returned to the fore with a total of three centuries being scored yesterday.

Among the three hundreds, two came from Rajshahi openers Mizanur Rahman and Nazmul Hossain Shanto in their Tier-1 match against Rangpur at the Sheikh Kamruzzaman stadium in Rajshahi.

Resuming the day on 99 without loss, both Mizanur and Nazmul went on to strike their respective centuries, helping Rajshahi take control of the game. Rajshahi ended the day on 419 for two and now lead the four-day match by 268 runs after Rangpur were all-out on just 151 runs in their first innings.

The pair added 311 runs for the opening wicket before Nazmul was dismissed on 173 runs off 313 balls, laced with 23 fours, while Mizanur was eventually out on 165 runs off 216 balls, his second consecutive hundred of the league, featuring 22 fours.

In the Tier-2 encounter at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah, Shadman Islam also struck his second consecutive hundred of the league for Dhaka Metropolis, who are heading towards a big lead against Dhaka Division.

Shadman, who scored his highest first-class tally of 186 runs off 313 balls including 21 fours and a six, will resume the third day with his sights set on his maiden double ton. Dhaka Metropolis ended the day on 312 for 4.

At the Sheikh Abu Naser stadium in Khulna, the hosts are in a spot of bother in their encounter with Barishal as they ended on 199 for 6 and trailing by 100 runs.

Khulna kept losing wickets at regular intervals in the Tier-1 match, where Mohammad Mithun's 72 was the highest score for the batting side. After resuming the day on 266 for 8, Barishal were all-out on 299.

Meanwhile, in the other Tier-2 fixture between Chattogram and Sylhet at the Sheikh Kamal International cricket Stadium in Cox's Bazar, rain forced an end to the entire day's play without a single ball being bowled.

HIGHLIGHTS

Rajshahi's opening batsman MIzanur Rahman continued his brilliant form in the domestic circuit as the right hander struck his second consecutive century of the National Cricket League before being dismissed on 165 runs. The 27-year-old had struck three consecutive centuries in the previous edition of the tournament and his performances this time around will surely catch the selectors' attention in the coming days.

Young Nazmul Hossain Shanto, who had a horrible ODI debut in the recently concluded Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates, has surely gained some confidence as the left hander struck his sixth first-class hundred. Nazmul, alongside Mizanur, added 311 runs for the opening wicket, providing Rajshahi the platform to take a huge lead against Rangpur before being dismissed on 173 runs.

Shadman Islam is considered as the next longer version specialist and in turn, the left hander continues to prove his ability to score big knocks. After his 157-run knock in the first round, the 23-year-old smashed his second consecutive hundred of the tournament, remaining unbeaten on his career best score of 186 runs. Shadman will surely look to register his maiden double hundred on the third day.