Ruyel scalps record eight

Ruyel Miyah of Sylhet Division stole the show in Bogura yesterday when the 18-year-old recorded the best figures by a pacer in Bangladesh’s first-class cricket history during his side’s encounter with Chittagong Division on the first day of the sixth and final round of the ongoing National Cricket League (NCL).

The left-arm pacer returned astounding figures of eight for 26 in 14.1 overs. He eclipsed the previous best performance by a pacer which came from Talha Jubair, who had taken eight wickets for 35 runs in 2012 while playing for Dhaka Metro against Rangpur Division.

In the face of such fierce bowling, Chittagong were bundled out for 106 in just 35.1 overs before Sylhet scored 186 for five when stumps were drawn.

It is said that the best sight for a fast bowler is to see stumps take flight and the left-hander was first-hand witness to that numerous times, rattling the stumps of four Chittagong batsmen on his way to achieving the incredible feat.

After asking Chittagong to bat, Sylhet kept their batsmen at bay from the word go. Right-arm pacer Imran Ali started the wicket-fest when he trapped opener Sadikur Rahman in the first over. It was all Ruyel after that, the youngster running riot and scalping all but the wicket of Irfan Shukkur, who was dismissed Rejaur Rahman.

Following the exchange, Amite Hasan’s 63-ball 55 and another 70-ball 41 from veteran Alok Kapali helped Sylhet finish the day on 186 for five. For Chittagong, it was another pacer, Ifran Hossain, who scalped four of the five Sylhet wickets that fell on the day. However, he also gave away 76 runs from his 14 overs.

In Dhaka, a brilliant 168-ball 141 from Fazle Mahmud helped Barishal Division pile up 338 for six.

Electing to bat, opener Shahriar Nafees provided a steady start, scoring 44. Barishal found themselves in a spot of bother when they were reduced to 155 for five, but a 128-run sixth-wicket stand between Fazle and Salman Hossain steadied the ship before Fazle was dismissed in the 77th over. That was the last wicket that fell as Salman remained unbeaten for a 122-ball 69.

National discard Sohrawordi Shuvo shone with the bat for Rangpur Division against hosts Rajshahi Division at the Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium. Riding on Shuvo’s 217-ball 105, Rangpur scored 263 for eight before umpires stopped play at 4:51pm due to bad light.

The Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna also played host to an eventful contest. After a shaky start, Dhaka Division ended the day on 273 for seven against Khulna Division. Taibur Rahman’s 189-ball 110, a 174-ball 66 from opener Abdul Majid and an unbeaten 90-ball 56 from skipper Shuvagata Hom helped Dhaka’s cause.

SCORES IN BRIEF

CHITTAGONG V SYLHET

CHITTAGONG: 106 all out (Irfan 21, Tasamul 21; Ruyel 8-26)

SYLHET: 186 for five (Amite 55; Ifran 4-76)

BARISHAL V DHAKA METROPOLIS

BARISHAL: 338 for six (Fazle 141, Salman 69 not out; Taskin 2-40)

RANGPUR V RAJSHAHI

RANGPUR: 263 for eight (Shuvo 105, Ariful 57; Delwar 4-55, Mohor 3-53)

DHAKA V KHULNA

DHAKA: 273 for seven (Taibur 110, Mazid 66, Hom 56 not out; Halim 5-27)