Mahedi shines in rain

Rain has been the biggest setback in the ongoing 19th National Cricket League and the trend continued as the first day of the second round matches between Dhaka Division and Rangpur Division, and Dhaka Metro and Sylhet Division yesterday being abandoned due to wet outfields caused by overnight rainfall in Cox's Bazar and Bogra.

On the other hand, Khulna made a solid start after electing to bat as they rode on twin tons from Mahedi Hasan and the experienced Tushar Imran to post 348 for three against Barisal in their Tier 1 encounter.

Right-hander Mahedi, who reached his second first class hundred off 183 balls, remained unbeaten on 165 off 261 balls with 15 fours and two sixes during his 325-minute stay at the crease.

Tushar, who holds the record for most centuries in first class cricket in Bangladesh, moved further but was dismissed after smashing his 24th hundred for a 196-ball 132, which featured 16 fours and a six.

The defending champions were initially in a spot of bother and were struggling on 46 for two inside the first session before Mahedi and Tushar steadied the ship and added a 272 runs for the third wicket to lay the foundation for a big total.

Opener Robiul Islam, who smashed a hundred in the last game, was dismissed by pacer Kamrul Islam Rabbi for three while the previous game's double-centurion Anamul Haque departed after scoring 36, becoming the first of Tanvir Islam's two victims on the day.

Mahedi, who already surpassed his previous best score of 140 is 35 runs away from his maiden first class double hundred, will resume the second day alongside Mohammad Mithun on eight at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium.

At the Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi, Chittagong finished the first day on 67 for two in 43 overs after the start of their Tier 2 match against the hosts was delayed to due to rain.

After being asked to bat first, Chittagong opted for a slow approach despite nearly half the day being lost and it failed to pay off as opener Mahbubul Karim was trapped leg before to left-arm spinner Sunzamul Islam for a 43-ball 22 while his partner Imrul Karim departed after painstakingly making 18 off 107 balls, falling prey to another left-arm spinner, Saqlain Sajib.

Tasmaul Haque (9 not out) and Yasir Ali (8 not out) will resume the second day for Chittagong.