The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Khulna Division made a solid start in the opening four-day match of the Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 9th National Cricket League Friday as they declared their 1st innings at 303 for 9 in 82 overs on the first day against holders Dhaka Division.

In response, the hosts Dhaka Division were struggling at stumps on day one scoring 17 for 2 in 6 overs in their first innings at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

After the departure of openers Javed Omar 5, Mehrab Hossain Jr. 2, Anwar Hossain not out 2 and Mohammad Sharif not out 0 spent out the rest of the day for Dhaka Division. Pace spearhead Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Syed Rasel shared both the wickets for Khulna Division.

Earlier, two nice half centuries from national coloured Shakibul Hasan and lower order Abdur Razzak enabled Khulna Division to have a good start after being sent in to bat first.

Number five Shakib scored 78 runs off 125 balls with four fours and a six while Razzak contributed an unbeaten 78 off 80 balls clobbered with seven fours and four sixes.

Number three Tuashar Imran 36, Mashrafe 35 and Sahagir Hossain 24 also made some handy contributions in posting a big total.

Spinner Mosharraf Hossain Rubel and pacer Shahadat Hossain Razib took two wickets each for the reigning champions while Nadif Chowdhury, Mohammad Sharif, Mohammad Ashraful and Mohammad Rafique took one wicket apiece.

In another match at the Bogra Shahid Chandu Stadium, Chittagong Division, after being put in to bat first by Barisal Division, made a shaky start on the first day as they managed only 176 for all in 62.4 overs in their first innings.

Dashing national top order batsman Aftab Ahmed Chowdhury contributed the innings highest 61 off 110 balls with six fours while number five Nazimuddin made 2nd highest 47 off 105 balls, including eight fours.

Sajedul Islam captured four wickets for 42 runs in 18 overs while pacer Talha Jubair bagged three wickets for 57 runs in 16 overs.

In reply, Barisal Division scored 61 for 2 in 20.2 overs in the first innings when the bails were drawn for the first day.

Skipper-cum-left-hand opener Shahriar Nafees and number five Raqibul Hasan were at the crease with 37 and 3 runs respectively.

Pacers duo Tareq Aziz Khan and Ashiqur Rahman took one wicket each.

In the day's other match at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium, runners up Rajshahi Division bowled Sylhet Division for only 141 in 77.4 overs in their first innings. There was a delayed start to the match due to wet outfield.

Sent in to bat first, opener Imtiaz Hossain's 35 and middle order Mushfiqur Rahim's 32 enabled Sylhet Division to reach around 150-mark.

Delwar Hossain and medium pacer Farhad Reza did the major damage as they scalped three wickets each for 31 and 33 runs respectively.

Mohammad Shahzada took two wickets while Mushfiqur Rahman and Suhrawardy Shuvo shared the other two wickets.

Brief score: Khulna Vs Dhaka:

Khulna 1st innings - 303 for 9 (dec) in 82 overs, Nazmus 2, Imrul 9, Tushar 36, Habibul 1, Shakib 78, Sahagir 24, Jamal 0, Mashrafe 35, Razzak 78*, Dollar 13, Rasel 11*; Mosharraf 2/60, Shahadat 2/67, Nadif 1/7, Sharif 1/38, Ashraful 1/47, Rafique 1/57.

Dhaka 1st innings - 17 for 2 in 6 overs; Javed 5, Mehrab (Jr) 2, Anwar 2*, Sharif 0*; Rasel 1/1, Mashrafe 1/14.

Chittagong Vs Barisal:

Chittagong 1st innings - 176 for all in 62.4 overs, Aftab 61, Nazimuddin 47, Sajidul 4/42, Talha 3/57.

Barisal 1st innings - 61 for 2 in 20.2 overs, Shahriar 37*, Raquibul 3*; Tarek 1/26, Ashiqur 1/26.

Sylhet Vs Rajshahi:

Sylhet 1st innings - 141 for all in 77.3 overs, Imtiaz 35, Mushfiqur 32, Farhad 3/33, Delwar 2/31.