Khulna opener Mehedi Hasan smashed a fluent century amid the bowlers’ domination in the fourth round of the National Cricket League (NCL) yesterday as his side bounced back from the miserable first innings outing to establish a control over Dhaka Division at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.
Rangpur Division are on course of taking a lead against Dhaka Metro at Shekih Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna.
Barisal Division also batted with composure in the second innings to keep them aloft over Sylhet at Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra while hosts Chittagong found batting tough at slow paced pitch at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhuy Stadium but had already taken a 30 runs lead over Rajshahi with six wickets remaining.

Khulna vs Dhaka
Opener Mehedi Hasan’s run-a-ball 104 established Khulna’s domination in Tier-1 game against Dhaka Division as they ended the second day on 205 for four, stretching their lead to 168.
In a bowling favourable pitch, Hasan thrived impeccably when the other batsmen found batting rigorously tough. While he was fluent in his knock which was designed with 18 boundaries, Anamul Haque Bijoy’s 61 not out.
Khulna again lost Imrul Kayes (4) cheaply but Bijoy and Hasan bailed the side out of danger with a 148-run partnership.  Bijoy and Nurul Hasan restored the domination. Nurul Hasan was batting on 34 with Bijoy at stumps.
Earlier, resuming the day 77 for three, Dhaka were bowled out for 154, taking a 37 runs first innings lead. Mustafizur Rahman caused the most damage with four for 46 while Abdur Razzak scalped three. Joyraj Sheik’s 65 was Dhaka’s highest.
Khulna were bowled out for 117 in its first innings.

Rangpur vs Dhaka Metro
Defending champions Rangpur ended the day on 241 for six after shooting Metro out for 242 in its first innings. They are expected to take a lead in Tier-1 game with Tanvir Haider and Suhrawardi Shuvo were batting on 42 and 21 runs respectively.
All of the Rangpur’s top order batsmen got the start but failed to carry the innings. Naeem Islam made 40 while Ariful Haque and skipper Nasir Hossain scored identical 31.
Metro resumed the day on 211 for seven but were able to score 31 runs with the rest of the three wickets. Tanvir Haider bagged four while Sanjit Saha grabbed three.

Barisal vs Sylhet
Salman Hossain hit 72 not out while Shahriar Nafees scored 67 as Barisal ended the day on 151 for three, taking a 134 runs lead at stumps. Al-Amin was batting on 2 with Salman and they would be key in setting a respectable target to Sylhet in Tier-2 game.
Resuming the day 45 for one, Sylhet were bundled out for 172, taking a slim lead of 17 runs which proved insufficient at the end of the day two. Ruman Ahmed made 72 and was the only one to make some resistance. Golam Kabir and Sohag Gazi claimed three wickets apiece for Barisal.

Chittagong vs Rajshahi
With Tamim Iqbal in the crease, Chittagong are expected to pile Rajshahi under huge runs regardless of the character of the pitch. Starting the day on 35, Tamim finally was out on 62 and Chittagong stumbled but still they ended the day 238 for four, taking 30 runs lead in Tier-2 game.
Tasamul Haque was batting on 66 which came off 221 balls. Irfan Shukkur was with Tasamul on 38. Tamim hit 62 off 106, clattering six fours and a six.
Rajshahi were all out for 208 in its first innings.