Sylhet is not great, Dhaka is great

Sylhet Division recorded a six-wicket win over Chattogram Division and defending champions Dhaka Division prevailed over Rangpur Division on the third day of National Cricket League (NCL) matches yesterday.

Resuming the day at 130 for two in the second innings and needing 90 runs to win, Sylhet, who had started their campaign with a draw against Dhaka, cruised to victory in 18.1 overs with Pinak Ghosh (62 not out) leading the chase. at the Sylhet International Stadium Academy grounds.

Meanwhile, Dhaka secured a comfortable 74-run lead over Rangpur after scoring 327 in 90.3 overs at Savar’s BKSP Ground-3, thanks to a 204-run stand between Ashiqur Rahman Shibli and Joyraj Sheikh.

Opener Shibli hit his first first-class century with 129 runs and 186 deliveries, plus 10 fours and five sixes, before becoming Rishad Hossain’s only scalp. Joyraj, on the other hand, fell for 87 before Mukidul Mugdho cleaned up the tail and finished with three for 48. At stumps, Rangpur made 28 for two in 14 overs.

Elsewhere, at the Sheikh Abu Nasser Stadium in Khulna, the Khulna Division declared 408 for nine against the Barishal Division with Anamul Haque Bijoy scoring 95 runs. Tanveer Islam was Barishal’s outstanding bowler, taking four wickets for 124 runs.

Barishal, in turn, scored 28 without loss as the four-day encounter edged towards a draw after there was no action on the opening day and only 34.2 overs were possible on the second day.