All four matches hampered by rain

With cyclone Bulbul making its presence known, the opening day of all four fixtures of the fifth round of the National Cricket League (NCL) were marred by inclement weather yesterday.

Right-hander Shamsur Rahman shone for Dhaka Metropolis against Sylhet Division at the Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi.

Dhaka Metropolis scored 282 for seven in 76 overs, courtesy of a magnificent 193-ball 114 from Shamsur, before bad light ended play at 3:40 pm.

Asked to bat, Shamsur strung a crucial 98-run second wicket stand with Rakin Ahmed to revive Dhaka Metropolis’ innings after receiving an early jolt in the form of the loss of opener Azmir Ahmed in the sixth over. Shamsur’s century, featuring 13 boundaries, alongside an 85-ball 69 from Al-Amin helped Dhaka Metropolis reach a decent total before stumps. For Sylhet, it was Rejaur Rahman, who shone with the ball. The medium pacer, who removed danger man Shamsur in the 70th over, returned impressive figures of four for 49 in 20 overs.

In Bogura, after being asked to bat, Rangpur Division managed to score 110 for five in 41 overs against Dhaka Division before the match was called off early due to bad light.

Meanwhile, the matches between Khulna Division and Rajshahi Division in Dhaka and Barishal Division against Chattogram Division in Barishal were both abandoned due to rain.