Khulna clinch NCL crown for record seventh time

Khulna Division clinched the Tier-1 National Cricket League crown for a record seven time beating their main-contender Dhaka Division by nine wickets on the 4th day and final day of the 6th and final round of the first class league at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna on Tuesday.

Khulna Division clinched the top slot in the four-team Tier-1 league securing 39.81 points from 6 matches with three wins and three draws, Dhaka Division finished runners-up collecting 24.39 points with one win, one defeat and 4 draws

Rangpur Division finished 3rd collecting 21.46 points with one win, two defeats and three draws while last time champions Rajshahi Division relegated to Tier-2 league as they finished 4th and last in four-team league bagging 18.65 with one win, three defeats and two draws.

Earlier, Sylhet Division emerged Tier-2 champions to earn promotion in the Tier-1 of the National Cricket League (NCL) with a convincing nine–wicket victory over Chattogram Division on the very 2nd day of the four-day affairs at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogura on Sunday. The match featured 13 wickets haul by 18-year-old rookie left arm pace bowler Ruyel Miah.

In the Tuesday's match, Dhaka Division resumed the 2nd innings with an overnight total of 102 for 5 and were dismissed for 216 in 86.3 overs, setting a poor target of 117 runs for Khulna.

Raqibul Hasan, who was unbeaten on 39, scored team's highest 99 runs off 227 balls hitting 4 fours and 3 sixes while Mohammad Arafat, who was not out for 9 on 3rd day, scored 53 off 148 balls, hitting 5 fours.

Ziaur Rahman claimed five for 44 runs and Nahidul Islam two for 74.

Chasing an easy target of 117 runs, Khulna Division scored the match-winner 117 for the loss of one wicket in 25.4 overs to earn their 7th NCL crown.

Opener Anamul Haque remained unbeaten on 79 runs off 76 balls hitting 4 fours and 4 sixes while Amit Majumder made an unbeaten 33 runs off 74, featuring 5 fours.

Nazmul Islam claimed the lone wicket for Dhaka Division conceding 49 runs.

Captain Nurul Hasan, who smashed not out 150 for Khulna in the 1st innings, was adjudged man of the match.

Brief score: Dhaka Division 1st innings: 279 all out in 93.1 overs; Taibur 110, Mazid 66, Shuvagata 60, Abdul Halim 5/27 and Ziaur 4/24

2nd innings: 269 all out in 84 overs; Raqibul Hassan 99, Arafat 53 and Ziaur 5-44

Khulna Division 1st innings: 379 all out in 128 overs , Nurul Hasan not out 150, Tushar Imran 82, Anamul Haque 50, Robiul Islam 45, Ajit Majumder 21, Nahidul Islam 16, Shuvagata Hom 5/46 and Nazmul Islam 2/114.

2nd innings: 117 for 1 in 25.4 overs Anamul 79*, Amit 33*,

Rangpur Division vs Rajshahi Division:

In the day's other Tier-1 match, Rangpur Division crushed former NCL champions Rajshahi Division by 155 runs at Shaheed Kamaruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi on Tuesday.

1. the overnight total of 228 for 6, Rangpur Division declared the 2nd innings Tuesday morning with same score, giving a winning target of 249 runs for Rajshahi on the 4th and last day.

Tanbir Hayder and Rishad Hossain were remained unbeaten on 72 and 18 runs respectively.

Delwar Hossain took four wickets conceding 73 runs while Muktar Ali took two wickets.

In reply, Rajshahi Division were bundled out for 93 in 43.1 overs with Junaid Siddique scoring 34 and Sujon Hawlader 27 runs.

Alauddin Babu and Ariful Haque took 3 wickets each conceding 42 and 20 runs respectively.

Brief score: Rangpur first innings: 274/10 in 89.4 overs, Sohrawordi 105, Ariful 57, Delwar 4/59 and Mohor 3/53

2nd innings: 228/6 (declared) in 61 overs, Tanbir 72*, Ariful 48, Jahid Jabed 33, Delwar 4/73 and Mukter 2/44

Rajshahi first innings 254/10 in 86.2 overs, Avishek 67, Farhad 75, Ariful 6/41 and  Sajedul 2/59

2nd innings: 93 all out in 43.1 overs, Junaid 34, Sujon 27, Alauddin 3/42, Ariful 3/20

Barishal Division vs Dhaka Metro:

The Tier-2 match between Barishal Division and Dhaka Metro ended in draw on the 4th and final day at Barishal Divisional Stadium on Tuesday.

Resuming the 2nd innings with overnight total of 30 for 3 in 16 overs, Barisal Division were all out for 269 in 84 overs.

Moin Khan scored the team's highest 80 off 105 balls, Fazle Mahmud 75 off 113 balls and Salman Hossain added 53 runs off 104.

Arafat Sunny bagged 5 wickets for 85, Taskin Ahmed 3 for 41 and Asif Hasan 2 for 63.

In reply, Dhaka Metro scored 19 for 1 in 5 overs at the end of 4th and last day.

Azmir Ahmed scored 10, Shykat Ali not out 8 and Shamsur Rahman added not out 1.

Kamrul Islam Rabbi picked up 1 for 12 runs.

Brief score: Barishal first innings 414/10 in 108.2 overs, Fazle Mahmud 141, Moin 75, Salman 72, Taskin 4/67 and Asif 3/106

2nd innings: 269 all out in 84 overs; Moin 80, Mahmud 75, Salman 53, Sunny 5-85, Taskin 3-41 and Asif 2-63.

Dhaka Metro first innings 466/10 in 140.3 overs, Shamsur 103, Marshal 109, Al Amin 92, Gazi 3/98, Fazle 2/26

2nd innings: 19 for 1 in 5 overs Azmir Ahmed 10, Kamrul Islam Rabbi 1-12