Dhaka take top spot

With one round to go after the ongoing one, Dhaka Division moved to the top of the National Cricket League's second tier by trouncing Dhaka Metro by an innings and 161 runs at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogura yesterday.

Before the fifth round, all four Tier-2 teams had the same amount of wins, losses and draws and with the third consecutive day being abandoned due to rain yesterday in the other Tier-2 game between Chattogram Division and Sylhet Division in Cox's Bazar, Dhaka's top spot will remain unchallenged at least for this round.

After having declared their first innings on 59 for eight to deny their opponents an extra 1.5 points and then conceding 386 runs, Metro folded for just 166 on the third day to complete a dismal performance. Metro resumed the day on 59 for two, still 168 runs adrift from making Dhaka bat again. After Mohammad Ashraful fell for the innings-highest score of 34 to make it 138 for four, Metro added just 28 more runs for the loss of the last six wickets. Left-arm spinner Taibur Rahman was Dhaka's most successful bowler with four for 31.

In the Tier-1 game at the Rangpur Cricket Garden, Rajshahi Division surrendered an 88-run first-innings lead to the home side by getting bowled out for 248. ]

Farhad Hossain top-scored with 71 while Junaid Siddique added 48. Rangpur pacers Subhasish Roy and Robiul Haque took four wickets apiece.

The other Tier-1 game between Barishal Division and Khulna Division at the Barishal Divisional Stadium saw rain washing out play for the third consecutive day.

SCORES IN BRIEF

RANGPUR V RAJSHAHI

RANGPUR: First innings 336 and second innings 20 for 1 (Fardeen 18, Sunzamul 1-0)

RAJSHAHI: First innings 248 (Farhad 71, Junaid 48, Sunzamul 25; Robiul 4-62, Subhasish 4-74)

DHAKA METRO V DHAKA DIV

DHAKA METRO: First innings 59 for 8 dec and second innings 166 (Shadman 66, Ashraful 34; Taibur 4-31, Mosharraf 3-34, Shuvagata 2-19)

DHAKA DIV: First innings 386

Result: Dhaka Division won by an innings and 161 runs)