Khulna captain Mashrafee bin Murtaza brought some life into a drawn game with a splendid piece of pace bowling on the final day of the National Cricket League first round match against Rangpur on Monday. Rajshahi became the only team to take a win from the first round as they made a massive turnaround to beat Sylhet by six wickets with Farhad Reza making a well made half-century in a low-scoring encounter.
The match between Chittagong and Dhaka Metro also ended in a draw after Chittagong finished on 193-4 on the final day chasing a target of 383 runs at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong.
The other match between Dhaka and Barisal also ended in a draw after no play was possible for the second consecutive day due to heavy rain in Cox’s Bazar.
Earlier, Dhaka made 309-2 with both Rony Talukdar (121) and Saif Hasan (106 not out) scoring centuries.
The second round matches will take place from September 22.
Khulna v Rangpur
Rangpur were tottering at 37-4 in the second innings with national one-day international captain Mashrafee grabbing the spotlight.
The veteran, who is playing his first first-class match since January 2014, finished with 3-12 before rain brought an early end to the match.
Earlier, resuming the overnight score of 342-4, defending champions Khulna added another 153 runs before declaring their first innings for 495-9 in reply to Rangpur’s 471 runs.
Anamul Haque, who finished the third day on unbeaten on 172, made his first first-class double hundred before he was trapped leg-before by all-rounder Nasir Hossain for 216.
Nasir was the most successful bowler for Rangpur with 5-70 in the first innings.
Anamul’s double hundred included 18 boundaries and two sixes.
Anamul was ecstatic after scoring maiden double hundred.
Rajshahi v Sylhet
Needing another 125 runs to win after finishing the third day on 86-2, Rajshahi reached their target of 212 runs by losing just two more wickets.
Farhad Hossain was the star for Rajshahi by scoring a well-made 70 off 99 balls including 11 fours and one six while Junaed Siddique made contribution of 46 runs. Myshukur Rahman remained unbeaten on 37 to take his side to a comfortable win.
Rajshahi made a terrific comeback after being bowled out for 79 runs in their first innings.
Despite the loss, Sylhet spinner Sayem Alam was named man-of-the match for his magnificent 6-32 in the first innings.
Chittagong v Dhaka Metro
Resuming the final day on 11-0, Chittagong, who needed another 372 for win, made hardly any attempt was left satisfied with 182 runs for the loss of four wickets before the match was called off due to rain.
Opener Sazzadul Haque made 82 off 122 balls which included nine fours and three sixes while skipper Tasamul Haque remained unbeaten on 46.
-With New Age input
