Mushfiqur nears ton as Rajshahi beat Khulna

BSS, Dhaka :

The second round of 27th National Cricket League (NCL) saw a result on Day 3 when Rajshahi crushed Khulna by seven wickets. Veteran Mushfiqur Rahim, on the other, closed in on a century as he prepares for Ireland series, which will see him as the first Bangladeshi batter to play 100th Test.

Rajshahi vs Khulna
Rajshahi Division sealed their first victory thrashing Khulna by seven wickets in their second round match at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Monday.

The victory came inside three days after Khulna were bowled out for 255, setting a meager 109-run target for Rajshahi.

Opener Habibur Rahman Sohan hammered a fluent 62 as Rajshahi overhauled the target with ease, reaching 114-3 in 23.5 overs.

Pacer Nahid Rana and Ali Mohammad Walid wrecked havoc on Khulna after they resumed the day at 68-1. Both of them claimed three wickets apiece. SM Meherob Hasan and Sunzamul Islam picked up two wickets each to further derail Khulna.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz made team-best 48 before being out by Meherob. Some other batters also scored over 30 but couldn’t convert it to big knock.

Anamul Haque Bijoy made 34 while Ziaur Rahman, Yaseen Muntasir and Amit Mojumder added 32 runs each. The batters’ lack of ability to play big knock played a key role in denying them setting a big target for Rajshahi.

But the ultimate damage was done in the first innings when they were bundled out for just 121 and conceded 147-run lead after Rajshahi put on 268 before being all out.
Sylhet vs Dhaka

Dependable batter Mushfiqur Rahim who is on the verge of becoming first Bangladeshi cricketer to play 100th Test led Sylhet Division’s strong reply against Dhaka on rain-shortened Day 3 at Sylhet Academy Ground. At stumps, he was batting on 93 as Sylhet reached 260-7, replying to Dhaka’s 310 all out in the first innings.

The match appeared to head toward a draw but a century of Mushfiqur Rahim would be a boon for Bangladesh ahead of the Ireland Test series in which the veteran batter will play his 100th Test. Zakir Hasan and Shykat Ali added 71 runs for the opening stand after resuming the day at 33 for no loss. Both failed to convert their start with captain Zakir perishing on 43 and Shykat who hit 175 in the previous round, made 27.

Sylhet lost two more wickets in quick succession before Mushfiqur held together one end firm, leading the side’s recovery from the dire strait. Ebadot Hossain was batting on 5 with Mushfiqur when the bails were drawn for Day 3.

Chattogram vs Barishal
Only 15 overs were possible on Day 3 in the game between Chattogram and
Barishal due to wet outfield at Cox’s Bazar International Stadium today.
After a delayed start, Barishal resumed the day at 115-2 and reached 166-2 as
the bails were drawn.
Salman Emon who started the day on 47, remained not out on 75 while
Zahiduzzaman was on 32 along with him at stumps.
Chattogram earlier were bowled out for 358 in their first innings with opener
Sadikur Rahman hitting highest 122 and Mominul Haque missing out his ton
after being out on 92.
Captain Tanvir Islam had figures of 4-56 for Barishal.
Mymensingh vs Rangpur
While 15 overs were possible in this game, the adjacent venue Cox’s Bazar
Cricket Stadium saw the Day 3 game between Mymensing and Rangpur was
abandoned without a ball being bowled.
Mymensingh declared the first innings on 555-6 before reducing Syhet to 18-2.