NCL Roundup: Dhaka Division edge closer to title, defending champs Rangpur fear relegation

Dhaka Division took a firm step towards clinching the NCL title after beating Sylhet Division by 52 runs in Chattogram. Sylhet head coach Rajin Saleh, however, accused and reported the umpires of bias towards Dhaka, after several lbw decisions went against his side.

Dhaka made 266 runs batting first with Mahidul Islam getting his maiden first-class century. He made 106 with seven fours and a six and spent six hours and 36 minutes on the field. Sylhet fell behind by 55 runs after they were shot out for 211.

Dhaka were then bowled out for 154, leaving Sylhet with a target of 210. But Sylhet got bowled out for 157 with spin allrounder Shuvagata Hom taking four wickets.

Away in Khulna, defending champions Rangpur Division are risking relegation to Tier-2 after their drawn game against Dhaka Metropolis.

Batting first, captain Akbar Ali and Tanbir Hayder struck big hundreds to get Rangpur to 435 runs. Akbar's 179, his maiden century in the long format, had 17 fours and three sixes. He added 251 runs for the fourth wicket with Tanbir who made 169, which was his eighth first-class ton. Tanbir hit 17 fours and two sixes.

Dhaka replied with 295 with half-centuries from Al-Amin and Abu Hider. Akbar missed out on a second century, falling for 97 on the fourth day. He struck seven fours and two sixes. Set 300 to win, Dhaka Metro ended up on 113 for four.

Chattogram Division climbed to top position of the Tier-2 points table after they beat Khulna Division by four wickets in their penultimate round match in Rajshahi. They clinched their highest successful fourth-innings chase in nine years after offspinner Nayeem Hasan took 7 for 75.

Chattogram took a 34-run lead after they were bowled out for 189 in reply to Khulna's 155.

Khulna scored 294 in the third innings with Nurul Hasan hitting 134 with 18 fours and two sixes. He added 169 runs for the fifth wicket with Afif Hossain making 81. Nayeem took seven wickets or more for the fourth time in his career, as Khulna set Chattogram a 261-run target.

Mahmudul Hasan Joy top scored with 54 while Mominul Haque and Yasir Ali got out for 42 and 46 respectively, as they reached the target in the third evening.

Rajshahi Division returned to winning ways after their five-wicket win against Barishal Division in Bogra. It was celebration time for Rajshahi's left-arm spin stalwarts; Taijul Islam starred with a nine-wicket haul while Sunzamul Islam became the fourth Bangladeshi bowler to complete 400 first-class wickets, in his 105th match.

In the first innings, Taijul and Sunzamul took two wickets each as Barishal were bowled out for 196. But Rajshahi fell behind by five runs in reply. Moin Khan, who top scored with 63 in Barishal's first innings, took four wickets.

But Barishal couldn't take advantage of the slender lead, as Taijul's 7 for 76 restricted them to 218 in their second innings. Fifties from SM Meherob and Imran Uzzaman took them to their fourth-innings target of 224 on the third day.