Opener Junaid Siddique struck a fluent century as Rajshahi Division sealed a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Chittagong Division in the second round of the National Cricket League (NCL) at Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium yesterday.
While Juanid’s century drove Rajshahi to a victory without any fuss, Suhrawardi Shuvo’s century was not enough to resist Rangpur Division’s eight-wicket annihilation to Dhaka Division at Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra.
But the star of the second round is Marshal Ayub who smashed century in both innings to help his side Dhaka Metro grind out a credible draw against Khulna at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Elsewhere at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna, Barisal’s Mosaddek Hossain Saikat scored 61 in the second innings after his first innings double century but the match between Barisal and Sylhet was drawn as expectedly.
Rajshahi vs Chittagong
Despite conceding 75 runs lead, Rajshahi bowlers bowled in disciplined manner to rout Chittagong for 181 in the second innings which left the hosts needing 257 runs to win.
Openers Junaid Siddique and Nazmul Hossain Shanto took the side closer to victory sharing 192 runs partnership. Junaid was the first batsman to be out after scoring 102 off 129, hitting a dozen of boundaries and a six. But his fellow opener Shanto fell short of eight runs to make his century as he was out on 92 off 125, including 13 fours and a six.
After the opening pair’s sensible batting, it was just a matter of time to seal the deal and despite a hiccup in the middle order, they duly reached the victory mark in Tier-2 game. Sabbir Rahman Rumman blasted an unbeaten 38 ball-49, clubbing three fours and five sixes.
Dhaka vs Rangpur
Suhrawardi Shuvo helped the side avoid the innings defeat and also gave the side a ray of hope an unlikely draw, only to be denied by the inept batting of his colleagues in the Tier-1 game.
He was the highest scorer with 121 and the next highest scorer Tanveer Haider’s run was 26, enough to indicate how they failed to accompany Shuvo in their bid to avoid the defeat. After being followed-on, Rangpur needed to score 201 runs to force Dhaka bat on again. Thanks to Shuvo’s 121 off 250 that was studded with 13 fours and one six, Rangpur amassed 255 before being dismissed.
Dhaka gunned down the target of 55 in just 4.2 overs losing two wickets with Shuvagata Hom smashing an unbeaten 40 off 16, clattering one four and four sixes.
Dhaka Metro vs Khulna
Khulna sensed a victory after enforcing follow-on in the Tier-1 game. But Metro defied all odds to earn a draw thanks to an unbeaten 115 runs from Marshal Ayub whose 107 runs in the first innings was not enough to avoid the follow-on.
With the side reeling to miserable 35 for four and a defeat was a matter of time, Marshal marshaled the innings sensibly with the apt support from Asif Ahmed Ratul. They combined in 145 runs for the fifth wicket to wipe out the apprehension of defeat. Ratul made 70 before being out but Marshal’s calm presence in the crease ensured that there will be no further hiccups. Marshal hit 11 fours and one six in his 216 balls knock while Mehrah Junior who was unbeaten on 19, ate up 71 balls to defy Khulna along with Marshal. They were 248 for five when the bails were drawn.
Thanks to Mithun’s 186, Khulna amassed 449 and raised the prospect of victory by bowling out Metro for 271 in the first innings.
Barisal vs Sylhet
Rajin Saleh was stranded on 89 as Sylhet amassed 400 runs in the first innings in reply to Barisal’s 527 in the Tier-2 game on day four. With there is no scope to earn any significant result, all eyes were locked on Mosaddek Hossain Saikat whether he add a century to his first innings double century. Saikat raised a prospect but eventually was out on 61 off 77 hitting three fours and four sixes and Barisal were 147 for seven at stumps.