National Cricket League Title Race in Balance

The tenth and final round of national cricket league started today (Monday). After the 9th round Rajshahi and Dhaka are jointly leading the table with 36 points.

Current holder Rajshahi in a bid to retain the title are facing third placed Chittagong in the away match. Meanwhile, Dhaka has a home tie with the bottom placed Khulna at Fatullah Stadium.

The other last round match between Barisal and Sylhet will start on March 17 at the neutral venue Fatullah Stadium.

In the opening day both Rajshahi and Dhaka consolidated their position and kept their title dreams alive. At Chittagong, Rajshahi finished the day with 325-9 while Dhaka restricted visitors Khulna to 286-9.

Rajshahi - Chittagong

At the close of the first day of the final round Rajshahi posted 325-9 against host Chittagong at Chittaging divisional stadium. Naeem Islam and Farhad Reza scored two contrasting fifties to take their total over 300 run mark. Naeem made a sedate 68 off 127 balls to consolidate the Rajshahi innings after a wobbly start, which saw the visitors tottering at 41-3 by the 16th over. After notable middle order contributions from Anisur Rahman (36), Mushfiqur Rahman (31), Hasanuzzaman (28) and Suhrawardi Shuvo (26), national discard Farhad Reza scored a quick fire 51-ball 55 with five boundaries and four sixes

Saju Datta of Chittaging bagged 4/108 while Waskurunee Palash and Elias Sunny netted 2/14 and 2/43 respectively.

Dhaka-Khulna

At Fatullah Stadium, Khulna opted to bat after winning the toss and posted 286 for 9 at the close of play. Khulna opener Imrul Kayes scored a brilliant 78 runs off 108 deliveries with 11 fours and two sixes.

In the middle of the Khulna innings, they lost six wicket in the space of 94 runs but tailenders Fahim (39), Selim (25) and Ziaur (22 not out) frustrated the home attack.

Mohammed Azim of Dhaka took 4/53 and Rashedul Islam Sumon grabbed 3/80 dominating in the middle.

Score Summary:

Chittagong-Rajshahi
Rajshahi first innings: 325-9 in 90 overs (Naeem Islam 68, Anisur Rahman 36, Mushfiqur Rahman 31, Farhad Reza 55, Arif 28*; Saju Datta 4-108, Waskuruni Palash 2-14, Elias Sunny 2-43).

Dhaka-Khulna
Khulna first innings: 286-9 in 90 overs (Imrul Kayes 78, Monirul 46, Fahim Muntasir Sumit 39, Zia 22*; Mohammad Azim 4-53, Rashedul Islam Sumon 3-80).