Shuvo runs thru' Sylhet as Metro survive

SHUVO ... 7 for 45

A seven-wicket haul from Sohrawadi Shuvo in Sylhet helped the Rangpur overcome a first innings deficit and beat the hosts by 56 runs in the second round of the National Cricket League yesterday.

At the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna, Dhaka Metro batted out the entire day cautiously in order to save the game against Barisal and succeeded as the match ended in a draw.

The Shaheed Chandu Stadium at Bogra witnessed its third consecutive washout as the game between Dhaka and Khulna ended in a draw.

Of all the games, it was the clash between Dhaka Metro and Barisal that turned out to be the most interesting. After Barisal posted 419, Dhaka Metro were bundled out for 245 in the first innings and were following on. They had an overnight score of 133 for one and needed to bat most of the final day in order to avoid a defeat.

It seemed as though they were going to be bundled out when they lost three wickets and suddenly found themselves at 211 for four. However, after that wicket fell, all the batsmen in the side looked merely to bat out overs.

Sadman Islam scored 88 off 236 balls and set the tone for the save. At the end wicketkeeper-batsman Zabid Hossain scored an unbeaten 36 off 100 balls and ensured that he saw his side through. Even Mohammad Ashraful played his part, scoring just two runs despite staying at the crease for one hour.

On a turning track, Sylhet's last three wickets fell in a jiffy as they crumbled to 97 all out in 34 overs. There was not much Sylhet could do as they lost their first seven wickets on the third day for just 77 runs on the board.

Slow left-armer Shuvo finished with brilliant figures of seven for 45 and was named the player of the match.

On Tuesday, Rajshahi had won their match against Chittagong by an innings and 242 runs.

SCORES IN BRIEF

RANGPUR: 217 and 183 v SYLHET: 247 and 97 all out in 34 overs (Imtiaz 26, Sohrawadi 7-45, Saddam 2-2)

Result: Rangpur won by 56 runs. 

BARISAL: 419 v DHAKA METRO: 245 and 353 for 7 (Sadman 88, Marshall 77, Asif 60; Saleh 3-100)

Result: Match drawn

KHULNA: 172 for 1 v DHAKA

Result: Match drawn

CHITTAGONG: 141 and 175 all out in 56.2 overs (Yasir 78 not out; Habibur 3-27, Mamun 3-33, Muktar 3-54) v RAJSHAHI: 558 for 9 declared

Result: Rajshahi won by an innings and 242 runs.