Experienced campaigner Naeem Islam coupled with Dhiman Ghosh slammed centuries for Rangpur Division that guided them to a comprehensive total of 325-6 against defending champions Khulan Division at the close of the Day-1 of the Walton National Cricket League in Khulna yesterday.
At Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium (SKICS) in Cox’s Bazar, the Day-1 of another Tier-1 match between Dhaka Division and Barisal Division has been abandoned due to the wet field condition.
Dhaka Metro mustered 257 for five rode on Mohammad Ashraful’s century against Chittagong Division at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
Sylhet Division lost nine wickets to score a paltry 123 against Rajshahi Division at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi.
Khulna vs Rangpur
At Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium, Khulna captain Abdur Razzak decided to use his battery against the visiting Rangpur after winning the toss on Khulna’s surface, the decision that he took finally backfired for them.
At the initial stage, Khulna’s bowlers succeeded in their strategy by sending back top-order batsmen Jahid Javed and Mahmudul Hasan inside 23 runs but later they could not halt the opponent progress.
Rangpur captain Naeem Islam attempted to break the salvo of the local team’s bowlers spearheaded by Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, who came back in longer version cricket after a three-year hiatus. A good number of spectators gathered in the stadium to see Mashrafe, who bowled 13 overs and conceded 56 runs but yet to claim any wicket.
En route to his patient but unbeaten 120, Naeem hit a couple of successful partnerships including 83 runs with Ariful Haque for the fifth wicket and another 148 runs with Dhiman Ghosh for the sixth wicket stand that gave them an inclusive 325 for six.
Naeem struck his 22nd century, just one shy of Tushar Imran’s highest record of 23rd. The right-handed batsman played 225 balls to make an unbeaten 120 that studded with nine boundaries and a six in his 350-minute stay at wickets.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Dhiman Ghosh was dismissed in the last ball of the day after scoring 105 by Abdur Razzak who snapped up the identical three like Al Amin Hossain for Khulna.
Chittagong vs Metro
Dhaka Metro opted to bat after wining the toss and put on 257 for five largely thanks to Mohammad Ashraful’s 104. Together with Mehrab Hossain Jr, Mohammad Ashraful rescued his team from precarious situation. Before the revival by Ashraful, Dhaka Metro lost four wickets for 74. The former national captain made 174 runs with Mehrab for the fifth wicket partnership before his dismissal. He clattered 12 fours and two sixes in his 194-ball innings. Mehrab remained indefatigable on 65.
Mehedi Hasan Rana and Shakhawat Hossain picked up two wickets apiece for Chittagong.
Rajshahi vs Sylhet
Rajshahi Division opted to field first after winning the toss and almost wrapped up Sylhet Division as the latter scored 123 for nine. Imtiaz Hossain topscored for Sylhet with 38.
Left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib was the most successful bowler who grabbed three wickets for 24. Medium fast bowler Forhad Reza and Muktar Ali took two wickets each for Rajshahi.