Shahadat hits debut ton

Young batsman Shahadat Hossain Dipu smashed his maiden century on his first-class debut to put Chattogram Division in the driving seat against Rajshahi Division on the second day of their Tier 2 fixture of the Bangabandhu National Cricket League (BNCL) yesterday.

Despite scoring the century and helping Chattogram post 287 in their first innings at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi, Shahadat will have to do it all over again as his side are struggling on 43 for five in their second innings.

Rajshahi's first-innings reply was a poor one too as they were bowled out for 152 runs, thanks to Noman Chowdhury's four wickets and Mehedi Hasan Rana's three wickets.

Chattogram, despite leading by 178 runs in their second innings, will be looking to stretch the lead further when they resume the third day against the hosts.

Earlier, Chattogram resumed the day on 256 for seven in their first innings, with Shahadat 12 runs shy of his maiden ton. While he kept losing wickets at the other end, the member of Bangladesh's Under-19 World Cup-winning side reached the milestone before being dismissed for 108 off 256 balls, his innings featuring eleven fours and two sixes.

"I was a bit nervous to be honest when I was on 97 and batting with Noman Chowdhury, the last batsman. But thankfully he negotiated the bowling well and I reached my century. This is very special for me and I will cherish this century for a long time," Shahadat told The Daily Star.

In the other Tier 2 game, Dhaka Metropolis skipper Marshall Ayub struck his 21st first class hundred to help his side to a first-innings lead over Barishal Division at the Barisal Divisional Stadium.

In reply to Barishal's 241 in the first innings, Dhaka rode on Marshall's brilliant ton and 60 from opener Zahiduzzaman to conclude the day on 324 for seven, taking a lead of 83 runs.

In Tier 1, Khulna's right-arm seamer Masum Khan bagged four wickets to leave Sylhet 130 for eight, Khulna still leading by 245 runs in the first innings. Resuming the second day on 308 for seven, defending champion Khulna were all out for 375 with pacers Abu Jayed and Ebadot Hossain picking up three wickets each.

At BKSP, Nasir Hossain kept the hopes of Rangpur alive with an unbeaten 93 against Dhaka Division. Rangpur still trail by 171 runs.

Resuming the day on 297 for eight, Dhaka went on to post 365 in their first innings before Rangpur found themselves in a spot of bother right from the start.

None of the other Rangpur batsmen were able to score big as left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam took three and pacer Sumon Khan bagged two wickets for Dhaka.