Tushar reaches 11k on day of draws

Former Bangladesh players Shahriar Nafees and Tushar Imran hit hundreds on the final day of the third round of the National Cricket League yesterday as all four games ended in draws. Tushar became the first Bangladeshi to reach 11,000 first-class runs in the process.

Tushar, Khulna Division's domestic batting colossus, struck 103 off 176 balls -- extending his domestic record of most first-class hundreds by a Bangladeshi to 31. Khulna started the day on 181 for five in their second innings, 170 runs in front of Rangpur Division in the Tier-1 game at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna. The right-hander was unbeaten on 63 at the end of the third day and built a 75-run sixth-wicket stand with all-rounder Ziaur Rahman (63) before the centurion was stumped off Tanbir Hayder.

There did not seem to be much thought of forcing a result as they batted till the stroke of tea to be all out for 334. Rangpur batted out 23 overs to reach 91 for one, with opener Jahid Jabed hitting a 66-ball 64.

The other Tier-1 game at the Barishal Divisional Stadium was always heading for a draw as the first two days were washed out, but it had the potential to be a spicy one as 19 wickets fell on the third day. Resuming the day on 125 for nine in response to Barishal Division's 133 all out, Rajshahi Division managed to take a 22-run lead before Tanvir Islam dismissed last man Abdul Gaffar. Barishal opener Shahriar then hit 102 off 161 balls -- his 14th first-class ton -- and in a 142-run second-wicket stand with Shamsul Islam ensured that there would be no embarrassing hiccups. Khulna reached 229 for seven when stumps were drawn.

Dhaka Metro resumed the final day on 191 for six at the Sheikh Kamruzzaman Stadium in Bogura, 242 runs ahead of Chattogram Division after taking a 51-run first-innings lead. Skipper Arafat Sunny declared on 254 for seven before lunch and set Metro a target of 306. Opener Pinak Ghosh then hit an unbeaten 59 to take Metro to the close safely on 159 for three.

The first two days of the other Tier-2 game was washed out at the Sheikh Kamal International Stadium in Cox's Bazar, and Sylhet Division had reached 229 for two on the third day. Rajin Saleh looked set for a hundred but was out four runs shy of the mark while Zakir Hasan fell 12 runs short as Sylhet were bowled out for 355. That left only 27 overs for Dhaka Division to bat, during which they reached 55 for three.