Mehidy Hasan Miraj recorded his career best first class bowling as Khulna Division brightened their chance to lift the 19th National Cricket League (NCL) title by wrapping Dhaka Division up for 113 in its first innings yesterday at the BKSP ground.

At the close of the first day that was delayed by three fours due to heavy fog, Khulna reached 23 for no loss, trailing by 90 runs with Anamul Haque Bijoy and Soumya Sarkar batting on 12 and 11 runs respectively.  However Mehidy starred in the match with seven for 24 that triggered a sensational collapse in Dhaka’s batting line up in a match that was touted as the unofficial final.

As Khulna opted to bowl first after a delayed start, fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman dealt a double blow, dismissing Rony Talukdar and Zahiduzzman in a single digit figure. Khulna skipper Abdur Razzak then removed Abdul Majid for 9, leaving Dhaka at miserable 26 for three.

Mehidy then started his party and snapped all of the seven wickets, giving anyone no chance to register his career best bowling. He broke through at a moment when Rakibul Hasan and Shuvagata Hom seemed to bail the side out of danger in a determined partnership.

Mehidy broke the partnership by getting rid of Hom for 21 and then removed Rakibul who scored the team’s highest 28. Those two wickets raised a prospect of bowling Dhaka out below 100.  However that was not to be despite Mehidy’s regular strike as the lower order batsmen showed some guts to help the side propel past 100. Apart from Mehidy’s seven, Mustafizur Rahman scalped two for 16, after bowling just five overs.

The inclement weather also put an adverse impact on another Tier-1 game between Rangpur and Barisal Division. The match was delayed by one hour due to fog at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. Barisal opted to bat first and reached 280 for six in 77 overs before the bad light brought a premature end to the first day.

Whatever the weather did the match, Sohag Gazi was left frustrated by falling to nervous 99. His wicket was the last wicket of the day after which the umpires called off the day due to the bad light.

Barisal however had a bad start to the day, losing three for just 50. Al-Amin Hossain then gave the side some relief with 50 runs which set a platform that was perfectly utilised by Nuruzzaman and Gazi. They added 145-run for the sixth wicket, largely dominated by Gazi who hit 13 fours and one six in his 104 balls knock. Nuruzzman was not out on 50. Shuvashis Roy and Tanbir Hyder bagged two wickets apiece for Rangpur.

Rajshahi Division who are in advantageous position to lift them to the Tier-1 in the next season faced a stiff challenge from Dhaka Metro in their last game at Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi.

Being sent to bat first in the fog-delayed first day, Metro reached 210 for four and looked to set a big total. Opener Sadman Islam made 75 while Marshal Ayub contributed 67. Mohammad Ashraful and Mehrab Hossain Junior were batting on 22 runs identically before the match was stopped due to bad light.

Only the match between Chittagong Division and Sylhet Division at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium started in due time with the game in the balance.

Yasir Ali struck 81 as Chittagong were bowled out for 215 but claimed three wickets of Sylhet for 54 before the bad light stopped the game.