Dhaka Metropolis and Khulna got off to a flying start in the National Cricket League as they defeated Rajshahi and Sylhet by huge margin on the fourth and final day of the opening round on Wednesday. Dhaka defeated Rajshahi by 285 runs while Khulna trounced Sylhet by an innings and 178 runs in their respective matches at two BKSP grounds. In the other match at Fatullah, Rangpur defeated Chittagong by 225 runs to begin their campaign on a winning note.
Dhaka v Rajshahi
Occasional medium pacer Saykat Ali’s five-wicket haul bundled out Rajshahi for 174 in 44.4 overs in their second innings as Dhaka Metro raced to victory in the morning of the final day.
Saykat, who triggered the collapse on the third day by picking four wickets, completed his haul by removing Delwar Hossain to finish with 5-45 before two quick blows by Sharifullah wrapped up the game for them after Rajshahi resumed the day on 101-6.
Overnight batsman Farhad Hossain was unbeaten on 84 while Mukter Ali made 29. Farhad and Mukter gave the innings some respectability after Rajshahi, chasing a target of 460 run, had lost six wickets for 43 runs.
Khulna v Sylhet
Veteran left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak picked up 7-71 as Khulna folded Sylhet for 174 runs in 58.5 overs to post an innings and 178 runs win.
Sylhet were bowled out for 184 runs in 60.2 overs in their first innings replying to Khulna’s 536-8 declared and asked to follow-on reaching 137-7 at close on the third day.
Razzak claimed the remaining three wickets before the 10th over of the morning was completed to bring some consolation for himself after being overlooked from Bangladesh’s World Cup squad.
Rangpur v Chittagong
Bowlers put a combined effort to guide Rangpur to a 225 win over Chittagong as the port city failed miserably in their hunt for an unexpected win requiring 337 runs on the fourth and final day.
Resuming at 83-3, Chittagong were bowled out for 194 in 72 overs as their last seven batsmen could accumulate just 111 runs to their overnight score.
Earlier batting first, Rangpur were bowled out for 269 runs on Naeem Islam’s century to earn a 162-run first innings lead as they bowled out Chittaong for 107 runs in 59.3 overs.
Opener Liton Das struck 150 in Rangpur’s second innings and helped the side declare at 257 for 5 in 49 overs, extending the lead to 419 runs.
-With New Age input
