Rajshahi off to flying start in NCL
Anamul strikes maiden double century
Sports Reporter
Rajshahi Division got off to a flying start when they thrashed Sylhet Division by six wickets on the final day of the first round encounter of the Tier-2 in the Walton National Cricket League (NCL) at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium (SKS) in Rajshahi yesterday.
The other three matches of the first round ended in a draw at different three host cities across the country. The match of Dhaka Metro-Chittagong Division among three matches had a possibility of getting a result of victory. But Metro bowlers could not capitalise the opportunity as they missed to produce any devastation against local teams batters.
At the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium (SKICS) Academy ground in Coxs Bazar, Dhaka Division-Barisal Division match called off without a ball being bowled like the first and third day.
Rajshahi vs Sylhet
Sylhet Division set a target of 211 runs for Rajshahi Division, who put on 86 for two - almost half of the required total- before the close of the third day game. On fourth and final day, they had needed to score 125 more runs to win the match what they overhauled at ease losing just another two wickets. Overnight batsman Forhad Hossain stitched together a couple of successful partnership that brought them very close to victory.
Together with overnight batsman Junaid Siddique, who fell four runs short of his half-century, Forhad Hossain hit 72 runs for the third wicket and another 67 runs with Myshukur Rahman for the fourth wicket stand before his dismissal.
Hossain lastly played 99 deliveries to make 74 that emblazoned with 11 boundaries and one six. Later Forhad Reza sought to finish the proceedings in the 50th over when they had needed nine runs but Reza took eight runs though he smashed Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi for boundary. Finally Myshukur sailed through the team with a single off Shahanur Rahman.
Myshukur slammed 37 off 41 with two fours as many sixes to be remained unbeaten. Forhad Reza was seven not out.
Shahanur Rahman picked up two wickets, Abu Hasan and Abu Jayed Rahi snapped up one wicket each for Sylhet.
Chittagnog vs Metro
Top-order batsman Sazzadul Haque in this regard played a crucial role as he made a gritty resistance with his fellow batsmen. Sazzadul pulled together 46 runs with Pinak Ghosh for the second wicket and another 85 runs with captain Tasamul Haque for the third wicket before his exit.
He clattered nine boundaries and three sixes in his patient 122-ball 82 before being caught by substitute Dollar Mahmud off Sharifullah. Just three runs later, they lost Shamim Hossain cheaply. As soon as they reached at 193 for four, the rained ruined the games and match referee called off the match at 4:02pm. As a result the match ended in draw. Tasamul Haque was 46 not out, while Sabbir was batting on two.
Khulna vs Rangpur
Resuming the final day at 344-4, defending champion Khulna Division added 151 more runs that gave them a paltry 24-run lead before being declared their first innings at 495-9 in response to Rangpurs first innings 471.
Anamul Haque Bijoy converted his overnight 173 to double century, the first of the ongoing league. Bijoy had to play three days to make his career best performance in first class cricket. Five years back, the wicketkeeper-batsman missed to clout his double but he fell 10 runs short of his feat against Dhaka Metro at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah.
The national discard clubbed a patient 356-ball 216 that studded with 18 fours and two sixes before being trapped lbw.
Domestic campaigner Tushar Imran (54) and Zaiur Rahman (31) had a good contribution to the strong total.
Offspinner Nasir Hossain grabbed five wickets, giving away 70 runs for Ranpur, who finished the day to put on 37 for four in eight overs. Jahid Javed was 27 not out. Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, who showcased a brilliant performance in the second innings, took three wickets- out of four- after being claimed one wicket in first innings.
