The first day of the final round of the Walton 15th National Cricket League saw the sides batting first bowled out for less than 300runs in their first innings yesterday. It was a bowlers’ day out all around as the match between Dhaka Metro and Rajshahi Division at Chittagong produced as many as 17 wickets, the most, needless to say, for the day among all the matches that began yesterday. All eyes were, however, set on the match between Dhaka Division and Khulna. Dhaka are only a step away from regaining the title of the tournament after a long wait of six seasons. League leaders Dhaka locked horns with defending champions Khulna with a gulf of 21 points separating them from their nearest rivals Rajshahi, who could only narrow the gap with a massive 403-run win over Chittagong in the previous round.
Dhaka Div v Khulna
At stumps on day one, Dhaka are trailing by 168 runs against Khulna with nine intact wickets in their first innings at Cox’s Bazar’s Sheikh Kamal International Stadium.
After winning the toss and batting first, Khulna could post only 243 runs as their openers failed provide them a smooth start to the innings. However, a 106 runs partnership for the sixth wicket between Ziaur Rahman and Nizamuddin Ripon repaired the innings before it could become a debacle. Zia scored 80 runs, the highest of the innings. His 103-ball innings included five fours and eight sixes. Nizamuddin scored 43.
For Dhaka Division, Mohammed Masum bagged three wickets for 69 runs while Shuvagoto Hom picked up two by conceding only 6 runs.
Later, Dhaka batted for 17.3 overs before the day ended and scored 75 runs for the loss of 1 wicket only. Opener Abdul Majid added 42 to the board before getting out. The other opener Rony Talukder was unbeaten on 32.
Barisal v Rangpur
Riding on a flashy innings by Sohag Gazi, Barisal posted a fighting score in their first innings against Rangpur at the outer field of Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.
Barisal were put into bat first and they and could manage 289 runs at the cost of all wickets. Losing 3 early wickets for just 26 funs actually contributed to their struggle to get a big score. The fall of the fourth wicket on 61 runs saw the arrival of Gazi in the middle. He went onto put two partnerships – first 59 runs with Nuruzzaman (41) and another 57 runs with Shahin Hossain (45) to drive Barisal to safety.
Before being caught by Sohrawardi off Tavir Haider, Gazi scored 87 runs off 67 balls, courtesy of five sixes and six fours. Later, 52 runs by number nine batter Kamrul Islam aided Barisal reach 289 runs. Sohrawardi took three wickets for Rangpur.
In reply, Rangpur scored 89 runs after losing two wickets at stumps. Nasir Hossain was unbeaten on 27.
Dhaka Metro v Rajshahi
At Chittagong’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Rajshahi ended the day with a 13 run lead against Dhaka Metro.
Rajshahi won the toss and sent Metro to bat first. And Mushfiq’s decision was justified by his bowlers as Delwar Hossain’s five-wicket haul demolished Metro for only 126 runs. Marshal Ayub’s 30 runs was the highest in Metro’s innings. In reply, Rajshahi also had to suffer from their own batting misery as they could only manage 139 runs for the loss of 7 wickets at stumps. Sabbir Rumman top scored with 64 runs while Shohid took three wickets for Metro.
Chittagong v Sylhet
At the end of day one, Sylhet were trailing by 138 runs against Chittagong at BKSP. Chittagong batted first after losing the toss and scored 213 runs for the cost of all wickets.
Abdullah Al Mamun’s 40 and Yasir Ali’s 27 had propelled Chittagong to a steady 79 for 1 before a dramatic flurry of wickets in short intervals pushed the side into discomfort zone with the score reeling at 95 for 6. The dismissal of Mominul Haque (35) on 188 runs called for more trouble for the side and it was Mohammed Saifuddin’s unbeaten knock of 64 runs which eventually saved Chittagong’s day from getting worse.
Enamul Haque Jr. and Ahmed Sadiqur picked up three wickets each for Sylhet. Sylhet were 75 for three at stumps. Skipper Alok Kapali was out for 28 runs. ‘Night watchman’ Enamul was unbeaten on 15 with Rajin Saleh on 3.