Mukidul sets Rangpur up for first victory
Young pacer Mukidul Islam's maiden ten-wicket haul in first-class cricket kept Rangpur in the hunt for a first win in the second round of the Bangabandhu National Cricket League (BNCL) as the hosts were left needing 101 runs with ten wickets at the conclusion of the penultimate third day at the Rangpur Cricket Garden today.
The right-arm seamer, who bagged six wickets in the first innings, scalped another six for 67 in 20 overs in the second innings as Khulna were sent packing for 259, posting a meagre target of 117 in the Tier 1 clash.
Khulna faced a serious threat from Mukidul after resuming the third day on four for one, but they made a confident start, with overnight batsmen Amit Majumder and Imrul Kayes before Ariful Haque dismissed the latter on 31 to break the 48-run partnership.
Amit then joined Nahidul Islam to try and rebuild the innings, but Mahmudul Hasan provided another breakthrough by removing Nahidul on 30.
It was the Mukidul show after that, as the seamer bowled first innings centurion Tushar Imran and skipper Nurul Hasan off consecutive deliveries. He picked his third five-wicket haul in first class cricket by removing two well-set batsmen, Ziaur Rahman (64) and Amit (89), rattling through the Khulna batting order.
The other Tier 1 game between Sylhet and Dhaka Division at the outer ground of the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox's Bazar seems destined for a draw.
Despite overnight batsman Shuvagata Hom's 13th first class ton, Dhaka -- who resumed on 239 for 6 -- were bundled out for 280 in their first innings in reply to Sylhet's 370.
Left-arm spinner Rahatul Ferdous was the pick of the bowlers for Sylhet, ending with career-best figures of seven for 75.
In reply, Sylhet lost wickets at regular intervals before Asadulla Al Galib's unbeaten 74 gave them some stability. The batting side are leading by 273 runs.
A draw also seems on the cards in the Tier 2 game between Dhaka Metropolis and Chattogram at the main ground of Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium.
Chattogram took a first-innings lead after bowling Dhaka out for 267 after they had resumed on 132 for 3. Opener Zahiduzzaman top-scored with 72 while left-arm spinner Hasan Muraz registered a maiden five-wicket haul for Dhaka Metropolis.
Chattogram were on 43 for 1 in their second innings. Mahmudul Hasan Joy (20 not out) and Sadikur Rahman (19) and look to build on a 178-run lead.
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