Rangpur, Dhaka Metropolis Triumph in NCL Opener; Dhaka, Rajshahi Draw
Rangpur Division and Dhaka Metropolis emerged victorious in the opening round of the National Cricket League (NCL), while defending champions Dhaka Division and Rajshahi Division settled for draws.
Rangpur Division vs. Chattogram Division
Rangpur Division dominated Chattogram Division, winning by an innings and 81 runs. Khalid Hasan and Mim Mosaddeak scored half-centuries as Rangpur declared on 273/9. Fahad Hossian claimed four wickets for Chattogram.
Chattogram’s batting faltered, with Rishad Hossain taking two wickets in each innings. Abdullah Al Mamun’s 3/10 and Mukidul Islam’s 2/15 helped Rangpur bowl out Chattogram for 103 and 89, respectively. Chowdhury Md Rizwan was named player-of-the-match.
Dhaka Metropolis vs. Barishal Division
Dhaka Metropolis defeated Barishal Division by eight wickets. Marshall Ayub and Aich Mollah scored centuries as Dhaka declared on 408/5. Ayub became the first batter in Bangladesh’s domestic cricket history to be dismissed obstructing the field.
Barishal were bowled out for 219 and 251, with Ashraful Islam taking eight wickets. Dhaka Metropolis chased down their target of 63 runs in 15.4 overs, with Ashraful named player-of-the-match.
Dhaka Division vs. Sylhet Division
Defending champions Dhaka Division drew with Sylhet Division. Anamul Haque and Nazmul Islam took three wickets each as Sylhet were bowled out for 146. Mahidul Islam Ankon scored a century for Dhaka, who were dismissed for 224.
Sylhet finished on 257/8 in their second innings, with Nazmul taking four wickets.
Rajshahi Division vs. Khulna Division
Rajshahi Division and Khulna Division also drew. Tanzid Hasan scored a century as Rajshahi posted 426. Al-Amin Hossain and SM Meherob took five and six wickets, respectively, as Khulna were bowled out for 194.
Sabbir Hossain’s 150 helped Rajshahi declare on 311/7. Khulna batted for almost a day and a half, making 311/7 with Amit Majumder and Soumya Sarkar scoring eighties.