Dhaka division’s Rakibul Hasan and Shuvagata Hom slammed centuries on the first day of the first round matches in the 15th National Cricket League yesterday. The capital side was in total control in their match against Rangpur. Eight fifties were registered while the bowlers claimed 33 wickets over the four games of the first round played across different venues in the country.
Dhaka v Rangpur
Riding on unbeaten tons from Rakibul and Shuvagata Dhaka posted 357 runs at stumps on day one at Rajshahi’s Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium.
Dhaka lost early wickets before bouncing back with a 102-run third wicket partnership between Rakibul and Rony Talukder (73). Rakibul took Shuvagata to add unbeaten 204 runs for the fifth wicket to steer Dhaka to a strong position. In the process Rakibul scored 154 while Shuvagata made 101.
Rajshahi v Sylhet
Sylhet bowled out Rajshahi for 217 runs in the first innings before they ended the day on 95 for no loss. Sayem Alam (61) and Imtiaz Hossain (23) will resume the second day with their side trailing by 112 runs.
Earlier, Junaed Siddique’s 63 was the highlight for Rajshahi as none others contributed to the scorecard at Fatullah’s Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium. Sylhet pacer Abu Zayed bagged five wickets while veteran left-arm spinner of the side, Enamul Haque Jr claimed four.
Khulna v Barisal
Riding on three half centuries hosts Khulna scored 252 for six at stumps against Barisal at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium. The Barisal side lacked the threat in the bowling department as
Tushar Imran, Anamul Haque, Robiul Islam Robi scored 61, 55 and 51 runs respectively. Ziaur Rahman was unbeaten on 18 along with Nahidul Islam on 5. Fazle Rabbi picked three wickets for Barisal.
Dhaka Metro v Chittagong
Dhaka Metro and Chittagong are fighting neck to neck at Bogra’s Shaheed Chandu Stadium.
Metro were restricted to 221 runs with Saikat Ali making the highest 53. Monirul Islam was the most successful among the Chittagong bowlers picking four wickets while Yasin Arafat and Aftab Ahmed bagged two wickets each.
However, Chittagong were trailing by 143 runs at the end of the day as they were reeling at 84 for three. Nafees Iqbal was unbeaten on 60 with Aftab on two. Shohid picked two wickets for Dhaka Metro while off-spinner Sharifullah took one.