Anamul Haque Bijoy and Mahadi Hasan put Khulna Division in absolute dominating position, hitting big centuries as their side took a massive 257 runs lead over Dhaka Division on the second day of the sixth and final round of the National Cricket League yesterday at the BKSP ground.

Both of the batsmen remained unbeaten at the close of the day, with Mahadi on 168 and opener Bijoy on 167, steering the side to 370 for one. With nine wickets at hands, Khulna definitely would eye to win the match by an innings margin.

The match had a delayed start for the consecutive second day with Khulna resuming the day on 23 for no loss. However Dhaka bowlers failed to make any impact despite knowing that they would have to win the match should they give them any shot to clinch the trophy.

They just could take one wicket on the whole day, dismissing Soumya Sarkar for 30.

Bijoy and Mahadi then hurled the baton in a way that Dhaka bowlers found no answer to stop them. Bijoy smashed 18 fours and four sixes in his 206 balls knock while Mahadi was more attacking than his colleague, ending the day with 151 ball-168, clobbering 20 fours and two sixes.

With the side at strong position, they would eye hit double century on the third day, which seems highly likely.

Dhaka earlier on day one was skittled out for 113, after Mehidy Hasan Miraj claimed his first class career best seven for 24.

Nasir Hossain hit an unbeaten 101 as Rangpur Division made a perfect reply to Barisal’s 335 in its first innings on day two at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong in another Tier-1 game.  At the close of the day, Rangpur were 264 for four with Ariful Haque batting on 34, with Nasir Hossain.

Barisal were able to add just 55 runs to their overnight 280 for six to be bowled out for 335. Shuvashis Roy, Ariful Haque and Tanbir Hyder claimed three wicket apiece for Rangpur.

Monir Hossain claimed three top order to leave Rangpur in an uncomfortable position before Naeem Islam and Nasir Hossain resisted the rot, sharing 104 runs for the fourth wicket. Naeem made 54 runs.

In the Tier-2 game at Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium, Rajshahi Division also made a perfect reply after their left arm spinner Taijul Islam came up with five for 105 to dismiss Dhaka Metro for 328 on the day two.

Before the bad light brought a premature end to the day, Rajshahi reached 95 for no loss with Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Mizanur Rahman batting on 42 and 47 runs respectively. Rajshahi had already confirmed the Tier-1 promotion and hence the match is just the case that they want to end the season with winning note.

The Tier-2 game between Chittagong Division and Sylhet Division could be dead rubber but it turned out to be most competitive game in this round.

Despite being all out 215 in their first innings, Chittagong hit back in the match, bowling Sylhet out of 137 thanks to Iftekhar Sajjad Rony’s five for 43 and Mehedi Hasan Rana’s three for 30 on day two at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

They then ended the day on 189 for five, stretching their lead to 267. Opener Jasim made highest 56 while his partner Sadikur Rahman scored 54. But the captain Mominul Haque fared badly, making just 20 after his 9 in the first innings.