The first round of the 20th National Cricket League (NCL) saw a staggering number of 13 centuries including two double centuries in four matches across the country. While the two matches of the Tier-2 produced result, the both matches of Tier-1 ended in a tame draw.

Dhaka Division registered a 21-run victory over Chattogram Division thanks to an eight-wicket match-haul from pace bowler Shahadat Hossain Rajib to kick-start the league in emphatic fashion. Dhaka Metro also notched up a comfortable victory as they crushed Sylhet Division by an innings and 41 runs margin.

In Tier-1, the top tier of the league, match between Khulna and Rajshahi and match between Rangpur and Barisal ended in a draw.

Dhaka vs Chattogram

Chasing a target of 482, Chattogram Division were finally bowled out for 267 at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium yesterday with Nazmul Islam claiming five for 75. Pace bowler Shahadat Hossain followed up his four-wicket in the first innings with yet another four-for to give Nazmul an apt support in their bid to have a big victory.

Resuming the day on 135 for three, Chattogram relied on their middle order to produce an upset. But as Tasamul Haque was dismissed on 38, adding just five runs to his overnight total, the fate of the match was decided. However Mahidul Islam Ankon and Saiffudin reduced the margin by playing a 47-run and 60-run knock respectively.

Dhaka were all out for 238 in its first innings but Chattogram failed to take the lead by being bowled out to 142 just. Riding on Rony Talukdar’s 228 not out and Abdul Majid’s 132, Dhaka piled up 385 for one, before declaring their second innings to set 482 runs target for Chattogram.

Dhaka Metro vs Sylhet

Asif Hossain scalped five for 44, while Arafat Sunny took his match-haul to seven by snapping up three for 63 in second innings as hosts Sylhet were skittled out for 170 to taste a humiliating innings and 41 runs defeat at the hands of Dhaka Metro at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Zakir Hasan was the top scorer with 70 while veteran Rajin Saleh made 60 as Sylhet resumed the day on 149 for four, meaning they lost the rest of the six wickets for just 21 runs, mainly failing to deal with the spin of Asif and Sunny.

Earlier, Metro were bowled out for 426 in its only innings. Sylhet were forced to follow-on after being bowled out for 215 in its first innings.

Khulna vs Rajshahi

The match predictably ended in a draw at the Shaheed Kamruzzman Stadium in Rajshahi after three batsmen of Khulna registered centuries, resuming the day on 182 for two. Before the bails were drawn for the final and fourth day, Khulna were 467 for seven.

Anamul Haque Bijoy who was unbeaten on 72 in the previous day, ended on hitting 113. His overnight partner Tushar Imran, stretched his century to 159 while later Soumya Sarkar joined them with whirlwind 103 not out.  Soumya who hinted to back in form with 33 in the final match of the Asia Cup, hit eight fours and seven sixes in an innings of 120 balls.

Earlier Khulna were all out for 210 in its first innings while Rajshahi took an advantage by compiling 552. However the big lead became futile by Khulna batsmen’s run-fest in a placid surface.

Rangpur vs Barisal

Barisal’s Fazle Rabbi missed out the double ton by five runs but his 195 runs knock set the side in a place at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogura, from where Rangpur had no chance to win the game.

Fazle Rabbi’s knock was complemented by Sohag Gazi’s 128 as Brisal were bowled out for 458 on final day, conceding 44-run lead. Before the bails were drawn, Rangpur were 164 for two with Naeem Islam who missed his ton in the first innings by eight runs, hitting 100 not out.

Ariful Haque’s maiden double century earlier helped Rangpur amass 502 in its first innings before being all out.