National Cricket League
Twin tons bring Dhaka back in it
Anamul Haque and Mehrab Hossain applied themselves brilliantly on way to hitting twin hundreds as Dhaka staged a fightback against Rajshahi on the fourth day of the National Cricket League final at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.
Riding on a 165-run fifth wicket partnership between young Anamul and Mehrab, Dhaka could finish the day on a high but they lost their last five wickets for 39 runs to give Rajshahi an edge.
Chasing a winning target of 297 runs, Rajshahi scored 51 for no loss before rain stopped the day’s play with Junaed Siddiqui (31) and Jahurul Islam (19) at the crease.
Defending champions Rajshahi, who have an advantage of a first innings lead need 246 more on the final day to win the match. A draw however will also be enough for Khaled Mashud’s men to ensure the hattrick title in the country’s lone first-class competition.
Resuming the day on 97 for three, Dhaka were bundled out for 330 runs to set a challenging target for their opponents. The batting of Anamul and Mehrab was the highlight of the day’s play although left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib took three more wickets yesterday to finish with figures of 5-109.
Mehrab played the anchor role during his nearly eight hour vigil as the left-hander, who started the day on 32, rotated strike fantastically by taking singles to frustrate the opponents bowlers, while his young partner Anamul played some magnificent shots on way to his second hundred in the competition.
Anamul, who was retired hurt on the third day after receiving a nasty bouncer from pacer Shafiul Islam on 20, came to the crease after overnight batsman Mahmudullah Riyad was caught by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim off Farhad Hossain for a 69-ball 30. He showed excellent temperament during his 181-ball 118 that contained eleven fours and a six over mid-wicket.
Dhaka had a good chance to deny Anamul the magical three-digit figure but national wicketkeeper Mushfiqur failed to grab the ball which came his way from cover when both the batsmen were standing in one end.
“Actually we have had a good understanding in the middle. Mehrab bhai helped me to keep my cool so that we could prolong the partnership. I was a little bit frustrated after missing the half century for one run in the first innings but now I am really satisfied,” said the promising wicketkeeper batsman, who made 49 runs and took five catches in the first innings.
“It would be fantastic if we could manage fifty more runs on the board. We lost quick wickets at the end which gave Rajshahi an advantage,” added Anamul, who came down the track to charge left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib but missed the line to give keeper Mushfiqur enough time to dismantle the stumps.
In contrast, the innings of Mehrab was a symbol of determination as the left-hander didn’t take any risk during his 116-run innings which came from 279 balls with six fours and a six.
BRIEF SCORES
DHAKA: First innings 280 all out and second innings 97 for 3 in 34 overs (Shamsur 28, Anamul 20 retired hurt, Mehrab 32 not out, Riyad 9 not out, extras 7; Saqlain 2-27).
RAJSHAHI: First innings 314 all out in 107.4 overs (Dhiman 75, Naeem 112, Mashud 17, Forhad 15, extras 27; Shahadat 5-82, Sharif 3-62).
Courtesy of The Daily Star
