Rangpur stamp their authority

As the final day of the National Cricket League drew to a close, Rangpur Divison were at the top with 11 points, followed by Khulna and Barisal, both at 8 points each.

At the BKSP, Chittagong started the day at 53 for 2 against Barisal. Nafees Iqbal's valiant 108 runs in Chittagong's first innings was followed by a duck in the second innings as they looked to be struggling after they were asked by Barisal to follow on. However, Tasamul Haque (120) and Irfan Sukkur (104) stayed at the crease till the game was safely drawn at 324 for 3.

At Fatullah Khulna finished their innings at 600 for 9, helped by Ziaur Rahman's knock of 110 in 139 balls, before declaring and putting the onus on Dhaka to survive the day. Dhaka played patiently with Abdul Mazid scoring 104 off 142 and Rony Talukder managed 78 off 120 before the match concluded as a draw at the end of 45 overs.

Rangpur cruised to a win at the BKSP's Ground number three against Rajshahi. Rajshahi were following on, beginning the day at 85 for one. They managed to put up 263 in their second innings, falling one run short of Rangpur's total. Muktar Ali was 70 not out, but he was the only one putting up a fight after Mizanur Rahman fell in the 43rd over for 61 runs. Sajedul Islam was the chief destroyer, picking up four wickets for 66 runs in 20 overs as Rangpur won by an innings and one run.

Dhaka were the other winners on the day as they won by a large 135-run margin against Sylhet. Sylhet began the day on 33 for one, but Dhaka's bowlers ran riot, with Sharifullah taking 3 wickets, while three other bowlers took 2 wickets each.

Scores in brief

BARISAL: 597 for 9 v CHITTAGONG: 339 and 324 for 3 in 97 overs (Tasmul 120 not out, Irfan 104 not out; Nasum 1-101)
Result: Match drawn.

DHAKA: 366 and 216 for 2 (Mazid 104, Rony 78) v KHULNA: 600 for 9 (Tushar 158, Ziaur 110; Shahadat 2-62)
Result: Match Drawn

RAJSHAHI: 263 and 263 all out (Muktar 70; Sajedul 4-66, Subashis 2-50) v RANGPUR: 527 for 6 declared.
Result: Rangpur won by an innings and one run.

DHAKA METRO: 264 and 264 for 8 v SYLHET: 171 all out and 222 all out in 101.2 overs (Ruman 39; Sharifullah 3-44, Ayub 2-19)
Result: Dhaka won by 135 runs.