Imrul departs for one in red-ball swansong 

Veteran Imrul Kayes failed to end his red-ball career on a high as the Khulna Division batter was dismissed for one in his last innings first-class innings against Dhaka Division on the second day in the fifth round of the National Cricket League (NCL) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday. 

Imrul, who scored 16 in the first innings, came to the crease after the dismissal of opener Anamul Haque Bijoy in the eighth over of Khulna's second innings and lasted only two balls before he was caught at slip by Rony Talukdar off the bowling of pacer Anamul Haque. It marked the end of Imrul's 17-year first-class career in which the 37-year-old scored 7947 runs in 138 matches, mustering 20 centuries and 27 fifties.

Imrul received a guard of honour from his Khulna teammates while walking to the crease and was greeted by the opponents and the umpires after dismissal. He had announced his retirement from red-ball cricket before the match. The left-handed batter last represented Bangladesh in Tests back in 2019 against India in Kolkata and it was also his last appearance in national colours.

Much like Imrul, Khulna didn't enjoy much success as they found their backs against the wall after, getting bundled out for just 91 runs in their second innings, with in-form Dhaka pacer Anamul Haque taking four wickets and Mahfuzur Rabby claiming three wickets to cause the damage. Dhaka need 103 runs to win the contest. 

Earlier on the day, Dhaka added 102 runs to their overnight score of 58-3 before they were bundled out for 160 runs in their first innings, giving Khulna a slender first-innings lead of 12 runs.

Ariful Islam top scored with 62 runs for Dhaka while Al-Amin Hossain, Masum Khan Tutul and Aridul Islam Akash took three wickets each for Khulna.

At the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna, Sylhet Division skipper Amite Hasan continued his red-hot form as he struck back-to-back centuries, having scored a 101 following his first ton of the season in his previous match, while Asadulla Al Galib made 56 runs as they posted 376 runs in their first innings after resuming an overnight score of 137-2.

Sylhet, who got a 246-run lead, found themselves on the verge of another victory after they reduced Dhaka Metro to 49-4 at stumps.

At the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram were in the driving seat against Rajshahi Division after they reduced them to 202-eight in their second innings after pacer Ahmed Sharif claimed 5-47 – his maiden first-class five-fer.

Chattogram finished their first innings at 252 runs and took a lead of 140 runs. Shamim Hossain scored the highest with an unbeaten 84 off 128 balls.

Meanwhile, at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi, Rangpur Division reached 218-5 at stumps in reply to Barishal Division's first-innings total of 336 runs.

Rangpur added 70 runs to their overnight total before they were bowled out within the first hour of play. Skipper Tanvir Islam made a quickfire 52 off 57 balls for Barishal.