Exciting third day awaits in NCL

Two out of four National Cricket League Round 2 matches between Dhaka Division-Rangpur and Dhaka Metropolis-Khulna are expected to see results on the third day of the ongoing first-class competition following today's play.

The Tier 1 encounter at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogura, Rangpur needed 113 runs to win and will resume the day on 98 for 3, chasing the target of 211 runs set by Dhaka.

Rangpur pacer Musfik Hasan bagged eight wickets to bundle out Dhaka for 199 runs on their second innings after resuming the day on 88 without loss. The right-arm seamer ended up with figures of eight for 73 from 17.5 overs, while Mahidul Islam Ankon top-scored with 74 for Dhaka.

At the BKSP-3 ground in Tier 2, Dhaka Metropolis need 152 runs with eight wickets in hand against Khulna. Chasing a target of 200, Dhaka ended the day on 48 for 2, where opener Azmir Ahmed will resume the third day on 25 runs.

Earlier, Khulna were all out on 253 runs in their second innings as Imran Uzzaman missed out his hundred for just eight runs after a 193-ball 92. Resuming the second day on eight for three, Imran steered the ship for Khulna and Jawad Royen also scored a fifty for the batting side.

Aminul Islam and Sharifullah picked up three wickets each while Abu Hider and Rakibul Hasan scalped a brace for Dhaka.

Elsewhere in a Tier 1 game, Zakir Hasan smashed his maiden double hundred as Sylhet declared their first innings after posting a huge total of 481 for nine. The left-handed keeper-batter resumed the second day on 132 and went on to achieve the feat before eventually getting dismissed for 213 off 318 deliveries, laced with 18 fours and two sixes. Left-arm spinner Hasan Murad picked a fifer for Chattogram.

In reply, Chattogram scored 98 for one at stumps with opener Pinak Ghosh and Parvez Hossain Emon will resume the third day on 49 and 45, respectively.

At the Sheikh Abu Naser stadium in Khulna during a Tier 2 fixture, Rajshahi declared the first innings after posting a huge 518 for nine, riding on three centuries, as Junaid Siddique and Jahurul Islam added a record 333 runs for the opening wicket.

Jahurul was dismissed top-scoring with 177 runs, while Junaid scored 149 runs off 369 deliveries. Experienced Mushfiqur Rahim, however, missed out on 32 runs while young Pritom Kumar remained unbeaten on 101 as Rajshahi posted a mammoth first-innings total.

Barishal, in reply, scored 79 for two at stumps where Salman Hossain (44 not out) and Abu Sayem (30 not out) will resume the third day as they trail by 429 runs.