Khulna missed a chance to secure the title of 19th National Cricket League when they were held by Rangpur for a draw in the fifth round while Rajshahi came step closer to their promotion in upper tier with a win over Chittagong on Monday. Pace bowler Delwar Hossain claimed six wickets in six overs as Rajshahi dismissed Chittagong in less than an hour in the morning on the final day claiming an innings and 13-run win.
Resuming on 109-2 at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra, Chittagong could add only 21 runs with eight wickets to be dismissed for 130.
Away in Chittagong, Sylhet sealed a 190-run victory over Dhaka Metro, who, chasing a target of 324 runs, were all out for 133 runs in the second innings.
In Rajshahi, Fazle Rabbi scored 107 off 237 balls as Barisal saw off the final day with 296-5 after resuming their play on 80-1.
In Khulna, the match between Dhaka and Rangpur ended up in a predictable draw.
Replying to Ragpur’s 560-8, Dhaka were all out for 321 in the first innings and the two teams accepted a draw once Dhaka reached 85-1 in the second innings after being asked for follow-on.
Rajshahi v Chittagong
Delwar finished with 6-23 to ripe through Chittagong batting line up as Rajshahi made a light work to complete an innings victory. Chittagong were all out for 130 inside 11 overs of the day after resuming on 109-2.
Delwar named as the player of the match for picking nine wickets (3-69, 6-23) in the match.
Sylhet v Dhaka Metro
Resuming on 176-8, fifties from the overnight unbeaten batsman Shahanur Rahman (58) and Abu Jayed (53) helped Sylhet to declare their second innings on 263-9.
Chasing a target of 324, Metro couldn’t find an answer of the spin of Enamul Haque Jr and Shahanur Rahman and were bundled out for 133.
Enamul claimed 5-63 to complete his seventh 10-wicket haul that also earned him man of the match award.
Shahanur chipped in with 4-30 in Sylhet’s 109-run win.
Khulna v Barisal
Barisal resumed their innings on 80-1, still needing 135 runs to make to Khulna bat again.
Rafsan al Mahmud (85) and Rabbi shared 177 runs for the second wicket to kill all excitement.
It also left Khulna satisfied with a draw while they could have been champions with a win.
Ziaur Rahman of Khulna won man of the match for his 152 runs.
Dhaka v Rangpur
Resumed on 295-6, Dhaka were rocked by the Rangpur bowlers Abdur Rahman and Mahmudul Hasan as they could add only 26 runs before getting wrapped on 321.
Rahman picked up four wickets and Mahmudul took three wickets.
Following on, Dhaka scored 85-1 at stumps.
Naeem Islam of Rangpur was named the player of the match for his brilliant double hundred in the first innings.
-With New Age input
