Rajshahi, Chattogram win as third round ends with entertainment
The third round of the ongoing National Cricket League (NCL) had an eventful final day yesterday as two batsmen scored unbeaten centuries while three bowlers bagged a fifer each.
One of the centurions of the day was Khulna Division’s Anamul Haque, who followed his first innings ton with yet another unbeaten 225-ball 151 in the second innings against Dhaka Division in Cox’s Bazar.
Resuming the day on 145 for two, Khulna declared on 301 for three in 77 overs. Anamul, who started the day on 61, smashed nine boundaries and eight maximums during his unbeaten innings.
After the exchange, in chase of a 357-run target Dhaka were reduced to 119 for seven in 57 overs -- courtesy of right-arm spinner Mahedi Hasan’s five for 46 in 25 overs -- before stumps as the match ended in a draw.
The other game in Cox’s Bazar however did see a winner -- with Rajshahi Division registering a thrilling six-run victory over Rangpur Division. Starting the day on 129 for six in the second innings, Rajshahi were bundled out for 190 runs in 102.1 overs, setting a 118-run target for Rangpur. Two left-arm spinners -- Sunzamul Islam and Saqlain Sajib -- did the trick for Rajshahi. Sunzamul returned figures of five for 48 while Saqlain picked five for 35.
Meanwhile in Bogura, Mohammad Ashraful shone for Barishal Division as he too scored an unbeaten 204-ball 150 during their drawn game against Dhaka Metropolis. After the first three days of play were called off due to rain, the final day saw Barishal score 312 for five in 72.4 overs before declaring. The match ended in a draw after Dhaka Metropolis reached 34 for no loss in 12 overs at stumps.
In Rajshahi, Chattogram Division registered a thumping nine-wicket victory over Sylhet Division. Chattogram declared their first innings on 229 for nine in 43.2 overs before bundling Sylhet out for a paltry 109, courtesy of a five-wicket haul from left-arm pacer Mehedi Hasan Rana, who conceded just 30 runs -- in 39 overs. Following the exchange, Chattogram romped to the win as they chased down the 44-run target in 6.4 overs.