First-class opens with a bang
The opening day of the 20th National Cricket League was a mixed bag as both batsmen and bowlers were greatly rewarded for their efforts with three centuries being scored and two five-wicket hauls taken yesterday.
Leg-spinner Jubair Hossain, who marked his return to first-class cricket with his second five-wicket haul, perhaps shone the brightest. Although Jubair was playing a first-class game after a year's gap, the Chattogram bowler was the wrecker-in-chief, surprisingly on a green top, against Dhaka Division in a Tier-2 encounter.
His exploits saw Dhaka all out on 238 after being sent in to bat at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah.
Jubair's hard work in the off season paid off as the 23-year-old devastated Dhaka's innings with his tight lines and lengths despite playing on a pace-friendly wicket. Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan picked up three wickets while Taibur Rahman and Rony Talukder struck fifties for Dhaka.
Dhaka pacer Shahadat Hossain took two early wickets in Irfan Shukkur and Mominul Haque on ducks as Chattogram ended the day on 25 for 2.
In the other Tier-2 fixture, Shadman Islam struck his sixth first-class ton as Dhaka Metro posted 332 for four against Sylhet at the end the first day's play at the Sylhet International Cricket stadium.
Apart from Shadman's hundred, Marshal Ayub scored fifty while Shahnur Rahman picked up two wickets for Sylhet.
In a Tier-1 encounter at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi, Tushar Imran scored his 29th first-class ton but to no avail as his side Khulna were all out on 210 against Rajshahi.
Tushar was dismissed on 104 off 144 balls, which featured 14 fours and two sixes, while Nahidul Islam's 26 was the second highest score for Khulna. Rajshahi replied well and ended the day on 122 for one as Mizanur Rahman remained unbeaten on 74.
Meanwhile, Ariful Haque scored an unbeaten century to help Rangpur post 300 for five against Barishal in a Tier-1 encounter at the Shaheed Chandu stadium in Bogura.
The right-hander struck 12 fours and a six in his 181-ball 117-run knock while Naeem Islam fell just eight runs short of his own century. Off-spinner Sohag Gazi took two wickets for Barishal.
HIGHLIGHTS
There has been a lot of talk about whether leg-spinner Jubair Hossain is provided with enough matches to showcase his talent in the domestic circuit. But yesterday, Jubair utilised one such opportunity as he bagged his second five-wicket haul in first-class cricket while playing for Chattogram against Dhaka Division.
The only Bangladesh batsman to score ten thousand first-class runs, Tushar Imran once again kicked off his favourite four-day format with yet another hundred. The right-hander took his tally of first-class centuries to 29.
Although pacer Shafiul Islam has been in and out of the national team, the 28-year-old has performed consistently in the domestic circuit. Shafiul picked up his third first-class five-wicket haul for Rajshahi against Khulna.
The only member of the Bangladesh's Asia Cup squad who did not feature in any matches at the recently concluded regional competition, Ariful Haque, smashed his eight first-class hundred and remained unbeaten for Rangpur in their encounter with Barishal.
Young Shadman Islam continued his fine form in the domestic circuit as the left-hander struck his sixth first-class hundred for Dhaka Metro against Sylhet.
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