Title contenders Rajshahi got off to a flying start in the one-day version of the National Cricket League while Chittagong and Barisal also won their respective matches in the opening round on Saturday.
Sabbir Rahman smashed a brilliant century to power Rajshahi to 111-run win over Khulna as Chittagong shocked Dhaka by 23 runs. Defending champions Barisal outplayed Sylhet by 5 wickets in the other match.
Dhaka v Chittagong
A fierce bowling of 4-45 by paceman Tareq Aziz helped Chittagong defend a moderate total of 215 runs as they bowled out star-studded Dhaka for 192 runs despite national batsman Mahmudullah scoring a fifty.
Nazimuddin (35), Nafees Iqbal (33), Mominul Hoque (30) and Faisal Hossain (39) each played a cameo before Rezaul Karim batted sensibly to remain unbeaten on 47 taking Chittagong past 200 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
One notable flop in their batting line up was Aftab Ahmed, who painstakingly made eight off 27 balls.
Mahmudullah, who picked up two wickets for 29 runs, almost guided Dhaka home with his patient knock of 52 off 97 balls after Mohammad Ashraful gave the side some much needed impetus with 40 off 49 balls.
Rajshahi v Khulna
At the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra, promising all-rounder Sabbir made run-a-ball 112 while
Jahirul Islam and Nasir Hossain chipped in with 50 and 53 runs respectively as Rajshahi compiled huge total of 301-7.
Dollar Mahmud claimed highest three wickets for Khulna giving away 53 runs while national spinner Abdur Razzak went wicketless in his 10 overs that released 47 runs.
Razaak’s fellow left-arm spinner Sohrawardi Shuvo, who was playing for Rajshahi, however shone with the ball and claimed 3-35 leading his side to a massive win as Khulna were bowled out for 190 runs, Amit Majumder made highest 35 runs for Khulna.
Barisal v Sylhet
Roqibul Hassan responded his criticism for poor form in the recently concluded series against New Zealand with a brilliant knock of unbeaten 90, helping Barisal to record an easy win over Sylhet at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi.
Alok Kapali made 59 off 82 balls while Imtiaz Hossain added 44 runs as Sylhet were all out for 210 runs with two balls remaining. Roqibul struck seven fours and a six in his 120-ball innings to lead Barisal to 211-5 with 13 balls to spare.
