Cricket

Sylhet Division maintained their dominance in the National Cricket League (NCL) with a resounding innings and 139-run victory over Dhaka Metropolis. The triumph marked Sylhet's fourth innings victory in first-class cricket and their third this season.Dhaka Metropolis's batting woes began in the first innings, as they were dismissed for a paltry 130 runs. Nasum Ahmed, fresh from his exploits in the ODI series against Afghanistan, led the bowling attack with four wickets. Rejaur Rahman Raja and Khaled Ahmed chipped in with three wickets each.Amite Hasan's century proved pivotal for Sylhet, as he guided them to a commanding 376 runs. Hasan's patient knock of 101, which included 13 boundaries, spanned four-and-a-half hours.Dhaka's second innings proved no better, as they were bundled out for 107 runs in just 33.4 overs. Khaled Ahmed was the wrecker-in-chief, claiming five wickets, while Raja picked up three.Meanwhile, Dhaka Division secured their first win of the season, defeating Khulna Division by nine wickets at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. The match marked the farewell red-ball appearance of Imrul Kayes, who recently announced his retirement from Tests and first-class cricket.Khulna failed to provide Kayes with a fitting send-off, as they were bowled out for 172 on the opening day. Fast bowler Sumon Khan starred with six wickets, while Salauddin Sakil took two.Dhaka fell 12 runs short of Khulna's total, getting bowled out for 160. Al-Amin Hossain, Masum Khan, and Aridul Islam Akash shared nine wickets among them.Khulna's second innings collapse saw them dismissed for a mere 91 runs, their lowest NCL total against Dhaka. Anamul Haque claimed four wickets, while Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby and Sumon took three each. Rony Talukdar and Ariful Islam guided Dhaka to a comfortable victory, chasing down the target of 104 runs in just 17.2 overs.Chattogram Division continued their winning streak, defeating Rajshahi Division by nine wickets. Fahad Hossian and Ahmed Sharif starred with the ball, as Rajshahi's struggles continued.Rajshahi were bowled out for 112 runs in their first innings, with Hossian taking five wickets and Ashraful Hasan and Ifran Hossain claiming two each.Chattogram responded with 252 runs, led by Shamim Hossain's unbeaten 84. Wasi Siddiquee and Sabbir Hossain took three wickets apiece for Rajshahi.Sabbir's half-century in the second innings helped Rajshahi improve their score, but they were eventually dismissed for 220. Sharif claimed five wickets, while Nayeem Hasan took three. Sadikur Rahman and Sajjadul Haque guided Chattogram to victory, reaching 83 runs on the third day.

Amite Hasan's marathon double-century propelled Sylhet Division to an unbeaten start in the National Cricket League (NCL), as they drew against Khulna Division in Cox's Bazar. Hasan's epic 455-ball innings, spanning over ten hours, is the third-longest individual score in Bangladesh's first-class history.Hasan's monumental knock, adorned with 18 fours and a six, showcased his remarkable conversion rate in first-class cricket. He forged a crucial 251-run partnership with Asadulla Al Galib, who also notched up his maiden century. However, Galib's dismissal became a viral sensation when he mistimed a shot off Mahedi Hasan's delivery, much to the amusement of the Khulna fielders.Khulna responded with a first-innings total of 273, led by half-centuries from Anamul Haque and Afif Hossain. After being asked to follow on, veteran Mohammad Mithun struck his 16th first-class century. Anamul, Imrul Kayes, and Nurul Hasan also contributed fifties, guiding Khulna to safety with a score of 296 for 3.Meanwhile, Rangpur Division secured a 101-run victory over Rajshahi Division, propelling them to second place in the standings. Ariful Haque's unbeaten 103 in the first innings and three wickets in the second innings played a pivotal role in Rangpur's triumph. Rajshahi's Sabbir Hossain claimed a six-wicket haul in the first innings, but Rangpur's bowlers fought back to dismiss Rajshahi for the same score.Chattogram Division registered their first win of the season, defeating Barishal Division by eight wickets in Cox's Bazar. Nineteen-year-old Ashraful Hasan Rohan emerged as the star performer, becoming the youngest Chattogram player to achieve a ten-wicket haul in a match.Barishal posted 318 runs in their first innings, with Moin Khan and Tasamul Haque scoring fifties. Ashraful's four wickets and Enamul Hoque's three wickets restricted Barishal's total. Shahadat Hossain's century in Chattogram's reply brought them within five runs of Barishal's score. Ashraful then completed his ten-for, dismissing Barishal for a mere 77 in their second innings.Defending champions Dhaka Division managed to salvage a draw against Dhaka Metropolis in Sylhet. Dhaka Metro came close to victory, but Ripon Mondol and Nazmul Islam held on at the end of the fourth day. Anamul Haque and Shuvagata Hom took four wickets each for Dhaka, while Abu Hider claimed three wickets for Dhaka Metro.

Dhaka Metropolis and Sylhet Division emerged victorious in the second round of the National Cricket League (NCL), while Dhaka Division and Rangpur Division played out a draw. Khulna Division and Barishal Division's match ended in a draw due to rain.Dhaka Metropolis Dominates Rajshahi DivisionDhaka Metropolis continued their winning streak by crushing Rajshahi Division by ten wickets. Left-arm spinner Rakibul Hasan starred with career-best figures of 8 for 56 in the second innings, while Maruf Mridha claimed 6 for 22 in the first. Rajshahi were bowled out for 77 and 166, with Dhaka Metropolis chasing down the target of 14 runs in just 2.1 overs.Sylhet Division Triumphs Over Chattogram DivisionPinak Ghosh's unbeaten 62 guided Sylhet Division to a six-wicket victory against Chattogram Division. Ghosh's 81-ball knock helped Sylhet chase down the target of 220 in 40.1 overs. Earlier, Sylhet had been bowled out for 152 in response to Chattogram's 198.Dhaka Division Draws with Rangpur DivisionAshiqur Rahman's maiden first-class century helped Dhaka Division salvage a draw against Rangpur Division. After Rangpur were bowled out for 253, Ashiqur struck 129 off 186 balls, adding 204 for the second wicket with Joyraz Sheik (87). Dhaka Division eventually declared on 327, with Rangpur batting out the remaining overs to reach 165 for 7.Khulna Division and Barishal Division DrawRain forced a draw between Khulna Division and Barishal Division. Khulna declared on 408 for 9, with Anamul Haque, Soumya Sarkar, Amit Majumder, and Mahedi Hasan all scoring fifties. In reply, Abdul Mazid struck an unbeaten 13th first-class century for Barishal, who finished on 287 for 3.