Rangpur Division ended their fifth round match of the National Cricket League with a draw against Rajshahi Division but that was enough to keep them on top of the points table of Tier 1 with 25.31 points.
On the last day, Rangpur declared their second innings on 188-8 before Rajshahi ended the day on 133-2 off 45 overs chasing 275 at Cricket Garden, Rangpur. With this result, Rajshahi are now in the second position having 21.09 points with one match to go.
In Tier-2 Dhaka Division won by an innings in the previous day over Dhaka Metro to secure the top position in the tier after fifth round.
Meanwhile, the match between Sylhet Division and Chittagong division at last started in the fourth day as Sylhet batted 13 overs to make 26-1 at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium Academy Ground, Cox's Bazar. But the inclement weather did not allow a single ball to be bowled in the match between Barisal Division and Khulna Division at Barisal Divisional Stadium.
Metro fall to innings defeat in three days at NCL https://t.co/K0YeMS6Pko
— DhakaTribune (@DhakaTribune) October 31, 2018
At Cricket Garden, hosts Rangpur resumed the day on 20-1 in 8.4 overs in their second innings and looked to take some quick runs before setting a target to the opponents. Dhiman Ghosh led the onslaught as wicketkeeper batsman scored 51 runs off 48 balls and added 81 runs in the fourth wicket stand with Mahmudul Hasan, who made 45, to up the tempo.
Rajshahi spinner Sunzamul Islam, who grabbed seven wickets in the first innings, ended with 4-72 to pick up his fourth 10-wicket haul in first-class cricket and later he was adjudged man of the match. Right-arm medium-pacer Delwar Hossain was the pick of the bowlers for Rajshahi as he returned with 4-27.
Chasing 275 with an asking run-rate of just over six, Rajshahi lost their opener Myshukur Rahman for one and one-down Junaid Siddique soon followed him with seven to leave the side on 12-2. Opener Sabbir Hossain and two-down Farhad Hossain shut down the chase by remained not out with 66 and 50 respectively to ensure the match ends in a draw.
20TH NCL, ROUND 5, DAY 4
Tier 1
Barisal v Khulna, Abandoned
Tier 2
Rangpur 336 & 186/8d in 37 overs (Delwar 4/27, Sanjamul 4/72) drew with Rajshahi 248 & 133/2 in 45 overs (Sabbir 66*, Farhad 50*)
Sylhet 26/1 in 13 overs (Shahanur 16*, Muminul 8*) drew with Chittagong