Khulna’s bowlers did an excellent job on the final day to steer their team to a 31-run victory over Rajshahi in the fourth round of the 13th National Cricket League at the Shamsul Huda Stadium in Jessore yesterday. It was Khulna’s third win making them the third team in this round to secure outright victories after Sylhet, who outplayed Dhaka Metro inside two days, and Chittagong, who beat Dhaka on the third day. Defending champions Rajshahi suffered their second defeat in four matches.
The other match at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra ended in draw as not a single ball could be bowled on the final day due to Wednesday’s heavy reainstorm during the third session of play. The pitch, side wicket and outfield were damaged and rendered unusable.
“It was not possible to cover the pitch and its adjacent areas because of the storm and today’s (Thursday) weather was also gloomy, which is why the ground was unsuitable for play,” said skipper Shahriar Nafees who made 115 runs to guide Barisal, who reached 259 for four in reply to Rangpur’s 407-7dec before rain stopped the match on the third day.
KHULNA-RAJSHAHI
Rajshahi resumed the day on 48 for no loss requiring another 238 runs for victory but they could only add 206 to their total, being bundled out for 254 runs.
Anisur Rahman applied himself during his 128-ball 71 that saw three boundaries and one six but his effort was not good enough to ensure victory. Rajshahi were close to winning the match when Anisur and Jubayer Ahmed were batting, but left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak bowled Jubayer for 35 runs to break the 69-run fifth wicket partnership.
Earlier Al-Amin provided the first breakthrough on the fourth morning by removing Mizanur Rahman for 35 runs.
Dollar Mahmud, Razzak and Taposh Ghosh shattered Rajshahi’s hopes, taking three wickets each.
Sanjamul Islam was the other notable scorer with a 59-ball 36 that featured three boundaries.
Anamul Haque was adjudged man-of-the-match for his hundred (107) in the first innings and 56 runs in the second essay.
BRIEF SCORES
KHULNA: First innings 278-9 dec and second innings 214 all out.
RAJSHAHI: First innings 207 all out and second innings (overnight 48-0) 254 all out in 68.1 overs (Mizanur 35, Avishek 23, Sabbir 18, Anisur 71, Jubayer 35, Sanjamul 36; Dollar 3-43, Razzak 3-101, Taposh 3-9).
Result: Khulna won by 31 runs.
RANGPUR: First innings 407-7 dec.
BARISAL: First innings 259-4 in 67 overs (Nafees 115, Javed 69; Roy 2-86).
Result: Match Drawn.
-With The Daily Star input
