Mehedi, Razzak overshadow Nasir heroics
The Khulna-Rangpur tie is hanging finely in the balance after the latter were dismissed for 220 in their first innings, in pursuit of the former’s 211-allout.
Resuming yesterday on a potentially precarious 23/2, defending champions Rangpur eventually added 197 runs for the loss of their remaining eight wickets with national cricketer Nasir Hossain top-scoring with an enterprising 150-ball 96.
Nasir hammered a dozen boundaries and a six and was ably supported by national discard Naeem Islam (44).
Khulna’s Mehedi Hasan Miraz (6/50) and veteran campaigner Abdur Razzak (4/77) snared all the wickets between themselves as Rangpur managed a slim nine-run first-innings lead.
In reply, Khulna ended the day on 30 without loss in their second essay, a slender lead of 21 runs.
Metro wrest initiative from Dhaka
Raqibul Hasan (99) was unlucky to miss out on a hundred as Dhaka, resuming the second day on 261/4 in their first innings, lost their remaining six wickets for the addition of only 66 runs.
Unbeaten overnight on 81, Raqibul was stranded one short of a well-deserved hundred. The out-of-favour national batsman struck 11 fours during his 182-ball knock.
Arafat Sunny was the wrecker in chief for Metro, taking six wickets conceding 96 runs.
In pursuit of Dhaka’s 327, Metro trail by 106 runs after they ended the day on 221/4 with opening batsman Shamsur Rahman blasting an undefeated century.
Shamsur was not out on 118, his 201-ball knock featuring 13 fours and a six. Fellow opener Saykat Ali chipped in with 48.
Chittagong continue Barisal misery
The port city outfit maintained their dominance over Barisal, courtesy fine centuries by opener Tamim Iqbal and middle-order batsman Tasamul Haque.
Resuming the day on 206/2 it was Tamim who first reached his hundred and he was closely followed by Tasamul. Together, the third wicket pair of Tamim and Tasamul added 154 runs to lead Chittagong to 444/7 by the end of the day. Tamim made 137 off 229 balls, featuring 17 boundaries and three sixes while Tasamul posted a contrasting 292-ball 107.
Rajshahi take day 2 honours
Rajshahi were behind the running for the eight ball when Sylhet ended the opening day’s play on 236/4.
However, Rajshahi came back strong yesterday as they bagged the remaining six Sylhet first-innings wickets giving away 92 runs.
Sylhet opener Imtiaz Hossain, unbeaten overnight on 125, eventually scored 154 off 345 deliveries with the help of 15 fours and a six while Ruman Ahmed provided valuable support, making 82.
Sanjamul Islam notched four wickets for Rajshahi. Rajshahi concluded yesterday’s proceedings on 183/3, trailing Sylhet’s first-innings tally by 145 runs.
Farhad Hossain (80*) and opening batsman Nazmul Hossain (62) ensured Rajshahi would make a strong start in their first innings.
