Liton Das smashes Bangladesh's fastest double-century

In his first competitive match after the Asia Cup final in Dubai, where he struck his maiden ODI century, Liton Das cracked Bangladesh's fastest double-hundred in first-class cricket. Overall, it is the tenth fastest (where data for balls faced is available). Liton had taken only 140 balls against Rajshahi Division to reach the landmark.

Liton had also held the Bangladesh record for the previous fastest double-century. He had struck a 190-ball double-hundred in April earlier this year.

Here, Liton got out just a ball after reaching his third double-hundred, finishing on 203 off 142 balls with 32 fours and four sixes.

Rajshahi's openers Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Mizanur Rahman also made hundreds in that match, pushing their cases for selection in the upcoming series at home against Zimbabwe. Mizanur struck 165 off 216 balls - his second successive ton - while Nazmul hit 173 off 313 balls. Nazmul made a welcome return to form after managing only 20 runs in three innings in the Asia Cup.

Shadman Islam's 189 for Dhaka Metropolis against Dhaka Division wasn't as brisk - it took him more than seven hours - but it helped his side secure the first-innings lead in Fatullah.

There was only one five-wicket haul in this round: veteran left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny took 7 for 57 for Dhaka Metropolis in Fatullah. In all, it was his 18th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. Sunny had last played for Bangladesh in 2016, but despite his recent form he could be ignored for national selection, with left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam and offspinner Mehidy Hasan being the first-choice spinners.

Playing only his second first-class match, pacer Salauddin Sakil took 4 for 80 against Dhaka Metropolis. Salauddin is a former migrant labourer who caught the attention last season after his first-class debut.

If rain hadn't interrupted the Rangpur-Rajshahi game in Rajshahi, the northern derby could have had an exciting finish. Rangpur fought back through Liton's brilliant double-century in the second innings, after they were shot out for 151 in the first innings.

Farhad Reza and debutant Mohor Sheikh took three wickets each as Rangpur's first innings lasted only 59.4 overs. Rajshahi replied with 589 for 4 declared, with each of the top five reaching fifty. Shanto and Mizanur struck hundreds in a 311-run opening stand before Junaid Siddique, Farhad Hossain and Jahurul Islam joined the run-spree.

Rangpur, trailing by 438 runs, hit back by amassing 319 for 2 in 49 overs at the end of the third day. But rain washed out the entire fourth day's play.

Mohammad Mithun's 72 for Khulna Division would give him confidence going into the Bangladesh training camp for the Zimbabwe series. Allrounder Afif Hossain made an unbeaten 81 to follow his seven-wicket haul in the first round.

Among the bowlers, Al-Amin Hossain and Abdur Razzak took three wickets each but they must step up further if they are to return to the national side.