Khulna Division has secured an emphatic victory in the opening round of the National Cricket League, defeating Barishal by an innings and 135 runs on the third day of play. Mohammad Mithun’s side demonstrated dominant form throughout the match, leaving little room for a comeback from the opposition.
Dominance at the Crease and Field
Khulna laid the foundation for their victory in the first innings, posting a substantial total of 426 runs. Kalam Siddiqui Alin led the charge with a gritty 92, supported by captain Mohammad Mithun’s 89. In response, Barishal faltered badly, collapsing for just 94 runs. Forced to follow on, Barishal improved slightly in their second attempt but were eventually dismissed for 197.
- Safar Ali, who picked up 2 wickets in the first innings, returned to claim 4 wickets in the second.
- Sheikh Parvez Jibon proved instrumental, taking 3 wickets in both of Barishal’s innings.
- Asadullah Al Ghalib top-scored for Barishal in the second innings with 67, while Tofael Ahmed added 59.
Mirpur Showdown: Dhaka Battles Back
At the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka mounted a strong recovery against Rangpur. After a difficult second day, Taiabur Rahman spearheaded the comeback with a superb century. This performance marked his eighth first-class century and saw him cross the 5,000-run milestone in the format. Dhaka’s innings concluded at 286 runs, with Sumon Khan contributing significantly, falling just 6 runs short of his own maiden century.
Rangpur’s bowling attack, led by two wickets each from Swadin Islam, Abu Hashim, Iqbal Hossain, and Mohammad Rizwan, worked hard to contain Dhaka. However, in the final session, Dhaka’s bowlers responded aggressively, reducing Rangpur to 62 runs for 3 wickets in just over six overs by the close of play, setting the stage for a tense final day.
Centuries in Chattogram and Mymensingh Progress
In Chattogram, Sadikur Rahman completed a well-deserved century on the third day, reaching the milestone after starting the morning on 86. This is Sadikur’s fourth first-class century. The team’s first innings closed at 393, bolstered by captain Irfan Shukkur’s 86 and Tasamul Haque’s 50. For the opposition, SM Meherab Hossain claimed 4 wickets for Rajshahi. Rajshahi ended the day at 46/2, holding a slim lead of 17 runs.
Meanwhile, in the match at Sylhet, Mymensingh currently holds a lead of 132 runs with one day remaining. After dismissing the hosts for 327, Mymensingh dominated the second innings. They established a 148-run opening partnership, with Khalid Hasan contributing 57 runs before his dismissal. As play paused, Mahfijul Islam Robin remained at the crease, eyeing his own century as he stood just 14 runs away from the mark. Azizul Hakim Rony was the standout performer for Mymensingh, taking 4 wickets to restrict the Sylhet total.
