Sharif’s 6-wicket haul puts Dhaka on top

A six-wicket haul by skipper Sharif and later a solid opening stand saw Dhaka Division took full control of the proceedings against Barisal on the first day of first round four-day National Cricket League held on Sunday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur.
Captain Sharif’s decision to bowl first right hit the jackpot as Dhaka bowlers created early inroad on Barisal Division innings sending back both the openers with only 18 runs of the scorecard.
The Barisal Division batsmen never recovered from the jolt and failed to build any effective partnership to stop the rot, losing wickets at regular intervals against some tight bowling attacks by the Dhaka Division’s bowlers, especially led by skipper Sharif.
First down Fazle Rabbi was the only batsman for Barisal who scored a gritty 52-run off 87-ball hitting four boundaries to save his team from total embarrassment.
Sharif was the wrecker-in-chief with six wickets for 24 runs and he was well supported by pacer Shahadat Hossain with two wickets for 40 runs.
In reply, Dhaka Division batsmen took their captain’s inspiration to rattle up a strong opening stand by Rony Talukder and Abdul Majid as both openers remained unbeaten at 180 for no loss in 39 overs when the stumps were drawn on the first day of the play.
Opener Rony scored an explosive 103 while his partner Majid supported him with a defiant unbeaten 70 run.
Brief score:
Barisal Division (1st innings) – 139 for all in 50.3 overs, Rabbi 52, Al-Amin-2 30, Sharif 6/24 and Shahadat 2/40.
Dhaka Division (1st innings) – 180 for no loss in 39 overs, Ronny 103 (batting), Majid 70 (batting).