Dhaka’s Rony Talukder smashed the first double hundred of the 16th National Cricket League yesterday as the capital city are heading towards a huge first-innings lead against Barisal following the second day’s play of the first round.
In the other matches of the opening round, centuries from Tushar Imran and Nurul Hasan enabled Khulna to the driving seat against Sylhet while Rangpur and Dhaka Metropolis took a stranglehold over Chittagong and Rajshahi respectively.
Dhaka v Barisal
Resuming the second day’s play on 180 for no loss, overnight batsman Rony guided Dhaka to a mammoth first innings total of 591/4. Rony hit 227 runs off 266 balls with the help of 26 boundaries and three sixes.
National discard Rakibul Hasan (145) also struck a century, his knock featuring a dozen fours and two sixes while Taiabur Parvez remained unbeaten on 85 at the end of the day’s proceedings.
Barisal were earlier skittled out for just 139 on the opening day.
With two days remaining, Dhaka are leading by 452 runs.
Rangpur vs Chittagong
After Naeem Islam’s brilliant ton on the first day, Rangpur resumed the second day’s play on 218/8 and were eventually dismissed for 269 in their first innings. Overnight batsman Sohrawardi Shuvo was the top scorer for his side with 62.
In reply, Chittagong were bundled out for just 107 with Irfan Shukkur scoring the highest 32.
Rangpur paceman Shuvashish bagged three wickets while Bishwanath Halder and Ariful Haque shared two wickets apiece.
Rangpur will resume the third day’s play with a first-innings lead of 162 runs.
Dhaka Metropolis vs Rajshahi
Dhaka Metro took a first-innings lead of 84 runs after dismissing Rajshahi for 218. Resuming the second day’s play on 8/0, Rajshahi kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were dismissed for 218 with national discard Junaid Siddique scoring the highest 55. Dhaka Metro paceman Mohammed Shohid and off-spinner Sharif Ullah shared six wickets between them.
In reply, Dhaka finished the second day on 115/3, an overall lead of 199 runs.
Khulna vs Sylhet
Resuming the second day on 280/4, both the overnight batsmen Tushar and Nurul blasted centuries as Khulna declared their first innings on 536/8.
Khulna skipper Tushar was undefeated on 177 having faced 337 deliveries while Nurul was dismissed after scoring 115. Tushar smote 24 boundaries while Nurul struck 13 fours.
Sadiqur Rahman and Sylhet captain Alok Kapali bagged three wickets each.
In reply, Sylhet were in a spot of bother losing four wickets for 86 runs. Sylhet will begin the third day’s play today trailing by 450 runs.
