Bowlers set up big Rangpur win

An incisive performance from Rangpur Division's bowlers paved the way for the team's six-wicket win against Dhaka Metropolis in Bogra.

Rangpur, batting first, made 240 on the back of a top-scoring 72 from Dhiman Ghosh, and immediately enforced their advantage by bowling Dhaka Metropolis out for 48. Only two batsmen reached double digits as Sajedul Islam and Subashis Roy picked up nine wickets between them to dismiss the team in just 13.1 overs.

Rangpur enforced the follow on, but Dhaka Metropolis fared slightly better in their second innings. Asif Ahmed scored 132 off just 130 balls with 16 fours and three sixes, and Marshall Ayub chipped in with 65, to take the team to 373. Ariful Haque was the pick of Rangpur's bowlers, finishing with 4 for 98. However, the massive first-innings deficit meant that the team could only set Rangpur a target of 182.

Rangpur lost four wickets during the chase, but half-centuries from Mahmudul Hasan and Saymon Ahmed took the team over the line in 73.5 overs.

Opener Mahbubul Karim's second first-class hundred set up Chittagong Division's four-wicket win, their first in the tournament, over Barisal Division.

Chasing 295, Mahbubul shared an opening stand of 126 with Nafees Iqbal and ensured that quick wickets in the middle did not hurt the side's chances of a win. He was out for 162 off 281 balls with 18 fours but ensured that the target was reached comfortably.

Both teams had poor first-innings scores. Barisal were struggling at 4 for 3 in the sixth over, before a lower-order rally led by Shahin Hossain's unbeaten 66, guided them to 197. Chittagong's first innings was wrecked by Monir Hossain's 6 for 27, and Irfan Sukkur was the only batsman to reach a fifty as the team was dismissed for 179.

Barisal were again rescued by their lower order, after the early loss of their frontline batsmen. Salman Hossain struck fifty and Fazle Mahmud and Shahin pitched in with forties to push Barisal to 276, setting their opponents a competitive target.

A struggling Rajshahi Division escaped with a draw in their game against Dhaka Division, finishing the day at 272 for 9 chasing a steep target of 604.

A double-century from Taibur Rahman and hundreds from Abdul Mazid, Rony Talukder and Nadif Chowdhury helped Dhaka post 753 for 5 declared, effectively batting Rajshahi out of the game.

Rajshahi's response, already hit by early wickets, ended in a collapse as the side lost their last six wickets for 20 runs. Nazmul Islam took 5 for 55 while Noor Hossain picked up 4 for 38.

The start to Rajshahi's second innings, chasing the mammoth target, was no better and the side were struggling at 53 for 3 before fifties from Sabbir Rahman and Jubair Ahmed lifted them to a relatively comfortable position.

Another stutter brought Rajshahi to the brink of a defeat, but a last-wicket stand of 34 between Muktar Ali and Delwar Hossain ensured the game ended in a draw. Nazmul and Noor were the best bowlers for Dhaka once again, taking three and four wickets respectively.