Defending Champions Khulna were looking for a win against Barisal in National Cricket League match after setting them a target of 403 runs in the fourth innings at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna on Sunday. Barisal reached 32-0 at stumps on the third day, still needing 371 runs if they are to shock the holders in their own backyards on the final day with all 10 wickets in their hands.
Away at the Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi, Chittagong were all out for 432 runs in their first innings before they had restricted hosts Rajshahi to 147-1 when stumps were drawn on the third day.
Play started in the match between Dhaka and Rangpur on the third day after first two days were washed out but only 17 overs were possible when Rangpur scored 49 runs without losing any wicket.
The match between Dhaka Metro and Sylhet in Cox’s Bazar was yet to see the light as the pitch remained undercover for third consecutive days.
Khulna v Barisal
Barisal resumed on 171-6 and could add only 87 runs before four wickets each from national stalwarts Abdur Razzak and Al-Amin Hossain helped Khulna bundled them out for 258 runs and get a sizable 186-run first innings lead.
Al-Amin scalped overnight half-centurion Rafsan al Mahmud in the first ball of the day, but Monir Hossain and Nuruzzaman fought back to cut short Khulna’s lead.
Nuruzzaman, 52 not out overnight, completed his maiden first-class century to stay unbeaten on 101 off 175 balls, an innings that featured eight fours and three sixes.
Kamrul Islam Rabbi rocked Khulna twice in two consecutive balls and reduced them on 17-2, but Robiul Islam Robi and Nurul Hasan carried their team to 85 with a partnership of 68 runs.
Two quick blows from Shohag Gazi and Monir Hossain, who showed a brilliant performance in the first innings for Barisal to take 7-85, interrupted this partnership and sent Nurul and Robiul home for 57 and 24 respectively.
Mashrafee bin Murtaza scored a quick-fire 16 off 11 balls and with the help of veteran batsman Tushar Imran’s 57 runs took Khulna to 216-7 before they declared their innings.
Chittagong v Rajshahi
Resuming the third day on 419-8, Chittagong were able to add only 13 more runs to their innings as Shariful Islam picked both the wickets in the morning and finished his spell on 70-3.
In reply, Rajshahi had a great start as openers Jahirul Islam and Myshukur Rahman added 103 before Mahbubul Karim made the only breakthrough for the visiting side.
Myshukur left for 36 but Jahrul stayed unbeaten on 75 alongside and youngster Nazmul Hasan Shanto 25 as they match was heading for a draw with both teams yet to complete their first innings.
Rangpur v Dhaka Division
The rain-hit match between Rangpur and Dhaka Division kicked off in the third-day with only 17 overs to play.
Rangpur’s Saymon Ahmed (28) and Jahid Javed (20) were at the crease as their rain-hit match against Dhaka finally kicked off on the third day only for the play to remain limited to 17 overs so far.
Brief Scores
Stumps, Day 3
Khulna v Barisal
Khulna 444 & 216-7 dec (Tushar 57 not out, Nurul 57, Sohag 3-78, Kamrul Islam 2-42, Monir 2-70) v Barisal 258 (Nuruzzaman 101 not out, Rafsan 58; Al-Amin 4-72, Razzak 4-90) & 32-0
***
Chittagong v Rajshahi
Chittagong 432 (Yasir 94, Sazzadul 68, Irfaan 65, Kamrul 44, Rony 43; Shariful 3-70, Nazmul 2-44, Saqlain 2-76) v Rajshahi 147-1 (Johirul 75 not out, Myshukur 35, Nazmul 25 not out)
-With New Age input
