Dhaka Division, Khulna seal big wins

Dhaka Division kept their hopes alive in the title race after they managed to seal a thumping 333-run win over table-toppers Sylhet on the third day of their National Cricket League Tier 1 encounter at the Sylhet International Stadium on Wednesday.

With two wins from five games, Dhaka are now in the second position with 19 points. Despite the defeat, Sylhet stayed on top of the table with 21 points heading towards the sixth and final round of the tournament.

Chasing a mammoth 495-run target, Sylhet crumbled and were bundled out for 161 runs.

Pacers Sumon Khan and Salauddin Sakil were instrumental for Dhaka, bagging three wickets each. Meanwhile, Towfiq Khan's 58 was the highest score by a Sylhet batter.

In a Tier 2 game, Khulna clinched their first win of the tournament by registering a comprehensive 10-wicket victory over Barishal at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi.

Barishal, who were asked to follow on, resumed the third day at 46 for three. Moin Khan scored a century to help Barishal to 256 all-out and post a small target of 87 runs.

Pacer Al Amin Hossain picked up six wickets while Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Nahidul Islam, and Jawad Royen took two wickets each for Khulna.

Khulna had no problem chasing down the meagre total as Hasanuzzaman hit an unbeaten fifty and Amit Majumder was not out on 33 runs to see their side over the line.

At the BKSP 4 ground in Savar, Chattogram are still trailing by 41 runs in their second innings against Rangpur. Chattogram ended the third day at 222 for four, riding on the fifth first-class century from opener Pinak Ghosh.

Pinak scored 103 off 264 balls, striking two sixes and eight fours, and Shykat Ali scored 78 runs as the pair added 174 runs for the opening stand. But following their departure, Chattogram lost a few quick wickets before stumps.

Earlier, thanks to an unbeaten 131 from Naeem Islam, Rangpur took a first-innings lead of 263 runs and declared their innings on 363 for 7.

In a Tier 2 game, Rajshahi's Mushfiqur Rahim missed out on a hundred for just three runs but his knock helped his team take a 138-run lead in their second innings against Dhaka Metropolis in Cox's Bazar.

Mushfiqur, who smashed a hundred in the opening round of the tournament, was dismissed on 97 off 155 deliveries.
 

Dhaka Metro took a first-innings lead of 131 runs and were bundled out for 373. Rajshahi, in their second innings, posted 259 for 7 at the end of the third day.