Rabbi ton helps Barisal avoid defeat against Khulna
Rajshahi promoted to NCL Tier-2
Sports Reporter
Fazle Rabbi hit a century as Barisal Division avoided a defeat to draw the match against reigning champions Khulna on the final day of the fifth round match of the National Cricket League yesterday at Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi.
A victory could potentially helped Khulna retaining the title with one round to spare since the other match of the Tier-1 between Rangpur Division and Dhaka Division ended in a draw at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna.
However Khulna still leads the point table with 16 points while Dhaka and Rangpur followed them with 10 points each. The sixth and final round of the league will be held in December after the completion of the fifth edition of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
While the two matches of the Tier-1 ended in a draw, all two matches of the Tier-2 fetched the results. Rajshahi Division and Sylhet Division sealed victory in their respective matches, beating Chittagong and Dhaka Metro.
Khulna vs Barisal
Resuming the day 80 for one, Barisal showed a gutsy performance to avoid the defeat as they were forced to follow-on. Skipper Fazle Rabbi led the charge of bailing out the side from the danger with 107 runs, hitting a dozen of boundaries. His 177-run partnership with Rafsan Al Mahmud, laid the platform of denying Khulna. Rafshan Mahmud scored 85 runs.
Later when Khulna bounced back in the match with a flurry of wickets, Sohag Gazis unbeaten 63 ball-68 ensured a draw as Barisal piled up 296 for five in 92 overs before the umpires called it a day.
Khulna declared their innings on 511 for eight after Ziaur Rahman hit a stroke-filled 152 and Robiul Islam Robi smashed 114. The defending champions then bowled Barisal out for 296 runs in the first innings and enforced a follow-on.
Rangpur Vs Dhaka (Tier 1)
Dhaka Division were dismissed for 321 after the lunch session on the final day, resuming the day on 295 for six. As the match destined to a certain draw, Rangpur gave them a shot to win it by enforcing a follow-on. Dhaka however didnt choke as they ended the day on 85 for one in the remaining 49 overs to ensure a draw against Rangpur, with Abdul Majid hitting an unbeaten 52.
Naeem Islam scored his maiden double century as Rangpur declared the first innings on 560 for eight. Sohrawardi Shuvo and Ariful Islam complemented his career-best knock with 145 and 100.
Metro Vs Sylhet (Tier 2)
Sylhet Division registered their first victory in the league, thumping Dhaka Metro by 190 runs on the final day at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
Set 324 runs to win the match, Metro were bowled out for 133 in just 49.2 overs with Enamul Haque Junior completing his 10-wicket haul in the match with his second consecutive five-for. He finished with five for 63 in the second innings, following his five for 96, to rip through Metro batting line up. Elias Sunny played a perfect foil to him with three for 63.
Earlier, resuming the day 176 for eight, Sylhet declared their second innings on 263 for nine. Shanaj Ahmed scored 66 and Shahanur made 58. Abu Jayed Rahi was unbeaten on 53.
Chittagong Vs Rajshahi (Tier 2)
Rajshahi Division confirmed their promotion to the Tier-1 in the next year with an innings and 13 runs victory over Chittagong Division at Shaheed Chandu Stadium on the fourth and final day.
Delwar Hossain scalped six for 23 to help Rajshahi dramatically wrap up Chittagong for 130 after they resumed the day on 109 for three. It meant they lost the last seven wickets for just 23 runs. Rajshahi were bowled out for 403 in its first innings before Chittagong put up 260 all out.
