NCL: Khulna need 108 runs on last day to post win against Rajshahi

Hosts Khulna Division required 108 runs with nine wickets in hand on the 4th and final day to win their 2nd round four-day Tier-1 match of the National Cricket League (NCL) against holders Rajshahi Division at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna on Sunday. 

Liton Das and Naeem Islam of Rangpur hit tons against Dhaka Division on day-3 of the second round NCL match.

Nurul Hasan missed the century for just three runs scoring an unbeaten on 97 for lack of partner at the other end. However, Mahmudullah of Dhaka Metro remained unbeaten on 95 at the end of day-3 and he has a good chance to make century on the 4th and final day against Sylhet Division. 

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Rajshahi Division vs Khulna Division: 
Replying to Rajshahi Division's first inning total of 261 runs, Khulna Division resumed the first innings on Saturday with their overnight total of 227 for 6 in 90 overs and were finally all out for 309 runs in 108.3 overs to take a 48-run lead in the first innings. 

Overnight batsman Nurul Hasan remained unbeaten on 97 at the end of their first innings in absence of partner. 

Shafiul Islam bagged three wickets for Khulna while Taijul Islam and Sunzamul Islam scalped two wickets each. 

Later, Rajshahi Division opened the 2nd innings and were bundled out cheaply for 170 in 60 overs with Najmul Hossain Shanto (57) and former national captain Mushfiqur (44) the only two notable batsmen batting well against the Khulna bowling attack. 

Right-arm pacer Al Amin Hossain and veteran spinner Abdur Razzak bagged four wickets each for Khulna while national pacer Mustafizur Rahman took two wickets. 

In reply, Khulna Division opened the 2nd innings and scored 15 for 1 in three overs losing the wickets of Anamul Haque Bijoy. Soumya Sarkar (0) and Imrul Kayes (11) were in the crease with Khulna needing only 108 runs to win on the final day.

Shafiul took the lone wicket for Rajshahi. 

Brief score: Rajshahi first innings: 261/10 in 85.3 overs, Junaid 51, Farhad Hossain 45, Farhad Reza 41, Miraz 4/38, Rubel 2/51, Mustafiz 2/64 and second innings: 170/10 in 60 overs, Najmul 57, Mushfiqur 44, Al-Amin 4/17, Abdur Razzak 4/62.

Khulna first innings: 227/6 in 90 overs, Imrul 93, Tushar 43, Nurul Hasan 35, Shafiul 2/55, Taijul 2/75 and 2nd innings: 15/1 in 3 overs, Imrul 11*, Shafiul 1/11.

Dhaka Division vs Rangpur Division: 
Resuming batting with overnight total of 71 for two, Rangpur Division scored 334 for five in 108 overs in their first innings against Dhaka Division at the end play on day-3 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Saturday. 

Both of overnight batsmen of Rangpur-- Liton Das (51) and Naeem Islam (8) -- hit centuries. Liton Liton fell for 122 off 189 balls with 14 fours while Naeem remained unbeaten on 124 off 296 with 12 fours and one six. Naeem batted the whole day adding 116 runs. 

Despite the batting heroics of Liton and Naeem, Rangpur were trailing by 222 runs with five wickets in hand in their first innings. 

Along with Naeem, all-rounder Tanbir Hyder remained unconquered on 51 off 107 with seven fours. 

Sumon Khan bagged two wickets for Dhaka on day-3 while Nazmul Islam scalped one. 

Earlier, Dhaka Division posted 556/8 in 160 overs (declared) riding on the double-ton of Saif Hassan (220*). 

Brief score: Dhaka Division first innings: 556/8 (declared) in 160 overs, Saif 220*, Rony 65, Raqibul 57, Nadif 61, Shuvo 3/134, Sanjit 3/89.

Rangpur Division first innings: 334/5 in 108 overs, Liton 122, Naeem 124*, Salauddin Sakil 2/16, Sumon Khan 2/70.

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Chattogram Division vs Barishal Division: Resuming their overnight score of 104 for 4 in 43 overs, Barishal posted 216/10 in 82.3 overs in their first innings with the help of Nuruzzaman's 60 at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah. 

Right-arm spinner Nayeem Hasan bagged four wickets conceding 62 runs while Mehedi Hasan Rana, Noman Chowdhury and Mihajul Abedin Afridi scalped two wickets each. 

At the end of the first innings of each team, Chattogram secured a big lead of 140. 

Chattogram scored 50 for 1 in 19 overs at the end of day-3 and stretched the lead to 190 runs with nine wickets in hand. 

Pinak Ghosh (30) and Chattogram captain Mominul Haque (9) remained unbeaten. 

Brief score: Chattogram first innings: 356/10 in 134.3 overs, Mahidul 91, Yasir 70, Irfan 57, Monir Hossain 4/99, Mosaddek 2/29, and second innings: 50/1 in 19 overs, Pinak 30*, Irfan 11, Mominul 9*, Mohammad Ashraful 1/19

Barishal first innings: 216/10 in 82.3 overs, Nuruzzaman 60, Rafsan 49, Nayeem 4/62, Minhajul 2/26, Noman 2/35.

Dhaka Metro vs Sylhet Division: Dhaka Metro were leading by 152 runs with four wickets in hand against Sylhet Division at the end of day-3 in Shahid Chandu Stadium in Bogura. 

Resuming their overnight score of 9 for none in seven overs, Dhaka Metro scored 225 for nine in their second innings at the end of day-3. Mahmudullah Riyad remained unbeaten hitting 95 off 195 with five fours and one six while Shahidul Islam is also unbeaten for 29. 

Imran Ali and Enamul Haque Jnr. bagged two wickets each for Sylhet. 

Earlier, Dhaka Metro posted 246/10 in the first innings and Sylhet replied with 319/10. 

Brief score: Dhaka Metro first innings: 246/10 in 83.4 overs, Mahmudullah 63, Shahidul Islam 54, Eanmul 2/52, Rejaur 4/75; second innings: 225/6 in 97 overs, Mahmudullah 95*, Shahidul 29*, Imran 2/35, Enamul 2/73. 

Sylhet first innings: 319/10 in 84.5 overs, Towfiq 61, Zakir 71, Alok 54, Jaker 71, Abu Hider 5/55, Shahidul 3/48.