Conclusion to inaugural Bangladesh National League

The first ever National Cricket League ended Wednesday, with Khulna posting their first win of the tournament in the final round. Chittagong had already taken an unbeaten lead in the ninth round of the competition to be crowned the champions, while Sylhet and Dhaka's positions as first and second runners-ups respectively, had also been decided in the earlier round.

On the first day of the match between the pre-tournament favourites Dhaka and Chittagong, captain Minhajul Abedin's knock of 108, supported by Enamul Haq's 46 helped them recover from a top order collapse, when Chittagong lost their first five wickets for less than 150 runs. For Dhaka Mukul and Sanwar took two wickets each. Chittagong ended the day on 280/9 and lost their last wicket on the first ball of the second day. Dhaka, who were playing without most of their stars, only managed 225 in their first innings, giving a lead of 55 to the champions. Dhaka lost three quick wickets, only Hanurur Rashid Liton showed some resistance for a while with 33.

Later in the innings, Sanwar Hossain & Saiful Islam (48) shared 90 runs for the eigth wicket. But in the end Sanwar ran out of partners and was left stranded on 90. The entire third day's morning session was lost due to bad weather. Chittagong only managed 81/3 before Chittagong's skipper and man of the match Minhajul Abedin and Dhaka's stand-in captain Khaled Mahmud seeing no chance of a result decided to call it a day.

Sylhet decided to bat against Rajshahi, in one of the other matches, but the decision completely backfired as Sylhet were shot out for an embarassing 101. Mushfiq Babu set a new tournament record as he took 7/33 off 18 overs. Only Tushar (46) and Alok (29) helped Sylhet get to three firgures. Rajshahi took the first innings lead as they made 248 in reply. Mushfiq Babu, who just attained the bowling record, dazzled the crowd with the bat as he made 92 runs, while skipper Khaled Masud Pilot made 48. For Sylhet Mohammad Rafiq took 3/53 and Pakistani Saifullah Magsi once again bowled brilliantly for his 6/46.

On the last day, Sylhet made 309 in their second innings as Magsi (132) earned the distinction of scoring the first and last century in the tournament, the first being against Chittagong in the opening round. For Rajshahi Mushfiq once again took 3/50 while Ripon was the peak of the attack with 5/90. Rajshahi only managed 59/3 in the overs remaining. Mushfiq was adjudged man of the match for his ten wickets and 92, over Magsi who made a century and took six wickets.

Barisal managed only 158 in their first innings against Khulna, as Manjurul Islam (3/53) and Jalaluddin (4/51), ripped through their batting order. Captain Habibul Bashar Shumon top scored with 67, with only two other batsmen reaching double figures. Khulna resuming on their overnight score of 93/3, were dismissed for 202 on the second day, as Saleh Ahmed Sohel grabbed five wickets for 72 runs. Opener Sajid made 82 off 228 deliveries for Khulna. Barisal, aided by Rashidul Haq's 51, struggled to reach 125/5 at the end of the second day's play. Sohel (5/29) and Jalaluddin (4/41), took five wickets between them as they dismissed Barisal for the addition of just 16 runs to their overnight score.

Khulna were in trouble as their top order crumbled to 13/4 chasing a target for just 97 for victory, as the new ball bowlers, Mafizur Rahman (2/12) and Ashfaq Ali (2/13) struck early. But from then on, after the loss of one more wicket, Asaduzzaman Biplab and Nurunzaman made 39 and 27 respectively to safely guide Khulna to a five wicket victory.

WO = outright wins by runs/wickets (4pts) WI = wins on first innings lead (2pts)