Soumya scalps six in a day; Ebadot bags fifer

The early morning conditions and the Duke ball held sway at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium as Rajshahi were skittled out for just 54 in their first innings by hosts Khulna in a Tier 2 game today, a day where even Soumya Sarkar's military medium-pace proved difficult to negotiate.

Coming in wide of the crease, Soumya cleaned up Rajshahi's tail after removing number four batter Tanjid Hasan with Rajshahi reeling at 38 for six. His next over saw Mohor Sheikh get trapped in front and the next ball shaped away to remove Shafiqul Islam as he bagged wickets off consecutive deliveries in the last two balls of the 21st over.

In his next over, Soumya once again rapped the pads, this time Sunzamul Islam was on the receiving end, but the ball was perhaps going a tad down leg-side to prevent a hattrick. Soumya did get the last wicket to finish with four wickets for five runs, while other medium-pacer Ziaur Rahman bagged three as Rajshahi trailed by 212 runs and were made to follow on.

The Rajshahi batters produced a better performance in the second innings, with Tanzid Hasan Tamim remaining unbeaten on 108 to see his side reach 205 for 5. Soumya remained the pick of the bowlers in the second innings too as he further scalped two wickets for 49 runs.

Meanwhile in Savar, Chattogram's Yeasir Arafat Mishu bagged six for 71 runs to bowl Dhaka out for 198 before Mahmudul Hasan Joy's 73 and Parvez Hossain's 54 saw Chattogram end day two on 187 for three as the port city lead by 192 runs in a Tier 1 game played at the BKSP No 3 Ground.

Elsewhere, 18 wickets fell on day two in the title-deciding Tier 1 game at Bogra as Sylhet pacers Ebadot Hossain and Rejaur Rahman bagged five and four wickets, respectively, to bowl Rangpur out for 188. Sylhet were still on the backfoot after being bowled out for 168 at close of play with Rangpur needing 88 runs to win.

In a Tier 2 game in Sylhet, Barishal reached 103 for 2 in their second innings to take a 92-run lead after bowling Dhaka Metro out for 222 in the first innings.