Dhaka Division make it two in two; Khulna beat Chattogram by one wicket

Dhaka Division went into a commanding lead in the NCL's tier-1 points table, following their seven-wicket win against Sylhet Division in Bogra. Batting first, Sylhet were bowled out for 212 with pacer Sumon Khan taking his fourth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. At one stage, Sylhet were 71 for 6 before their captain Zakir Hasan's 85 revived them somewhat.

Dhaka took a 44-run lead thanks to Rony Talukdar and Shuvagata Hom's fifties as the team made 256. Sylhet were bowled out for 116 in their second innings, with left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam taking his eighth five-wicket haul in 79 matches. Chasing 73, Dhaka got home comfortably to pick up their second win in the competition.

Rangpur Division beat Dhaka Metropolis by 65 runs in Mirpur to open their account this season. Shohidul Islam's four-wicket haul dented Rangpur, and eventually, they were bowled out for 119 in under 35 overs.

Dhaka Metropolis took a 54-run lead with Abdul Gaffar Saqlain taking four wickets for Rangpur. It was the start of Rangpur's fightback. Anik Sarkar missed out on a debut hundred when he fell on 99, before Nobin Islam, at No. 7, struck 145 - his maiden century - with 19 fours and four sixes. Rangpur were all out for 464.

Chasing a mammoth 411, Asadullah Galib and Gaffar took three wickets each for Rangpur.

In the tier-2 match, Khulna Division beat Chattogram Division by one wicket in Sylhet. It is only their second one-wicket win in the NCL history.

Chattogram were bowled out for 242, with Shamim Hossain scoring a fifty. Anamul Haque's 23rd first-class century helped Khulna to a 43-run lead. He made 110 off 166 balls with six fours and three sixes and he added 139 runs with Ziaur Rahman for the seventh wicket. Ziaur struck seven fours and five sixes in his 127-ball 84. For Chattogram,

In reply, Chattogram were bowled out for 175, with Al-Amin Hossain, Abdul Halim, Soumya Sarkar, Aridul Islam Akash and Anamul picking up two wickets each.

In another close game, Rajshahi Division beat Barisal Division by SM Meherob and Sabbir Rahman struck fifties as Rajshahi made 209. Left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam took five wickets while Sohag Gazi grabbed four.

Barisal took a 24-run lead after being bowled out for 233. Nahid Rana took four wickets, while Moin Khan scored a fifty. Tanvir then added four more to his kitty to help bowl out Rajshahi for 192. Sabbir Hossain top-scored with 52.

Iftakhar Hossain Ifti's 60 held Barisal in a chase of 169, but when he fell as the seventh wicket, with the team on 130, the lower order failed to take Barisal home. Taijul Islam took four wickets for Rajshahi, while Rana added three more to his wickets column.