The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Hosts Chittagong Division is poised for their first victory in the four-day Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 9th National Cricket League forcing Sylhet Division to follow-on on the 2nd day of the fifth round match here on Monday.

Resuming the 1st innings with 289 for 9 at the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Ruhul Amin Stadium, Chittagong Division scored 308 runs for all in 101.1 overs to earn three batting bonus points.

Later, Chittagong collected another four bowling bonus points dismissing Sylhet Division for 127 runs in 43.5 overs forcing the visitors to follow-on.

Skipper Rajin Saleh (21), Golam Rahman (20), Enamul Haque Jr (15), Mushfiqur Rahim (14), Alok Kapali (12) and Sharifullah (10) were the notable Sylhet batsmen who reached double figures.

Saju Dutta claimed four wickets for 23 runs while Kamrul Islam grabbed three for 34 and Tareq Aziz Khan took two for 49 runs.

After 1st innings batting collapse, Sylhet Division again faced initial batting debacle scoring 76 for 4 in 32 overs at stumps on day two and need another 105 runs to avoid innings defeat.

Alok Kapali and Golam Mabud were batting with 11 and 3 runs respectively. Yasir Arafat captured three wickets for 27 runs while Tareq Aziz took one for 8 runs.

Brief score: Chittagong Division first innings- 308/10 in 101.1 overs; Nafees 9, Gazi Salauddin 138, Nazimuddin 0, Aftab 46, Ehsanul 30, Faisal 11, Dhiman 7, Yasin 1, Tareq 5, Kamrul 17, Saju 10*; Nabil 4/60, Enamul 2/74, Rashedul 2/75, Alok 1/18, Tapash 1/47

Sylhet Division first innings - 127/10 in 43.5 overs; Imtiaz 7, Golam Rahman 20, Rajin 21, Alok 12, Mashfiqur 14, Golam Mabud 5, Tapash 5, Enamul 15, Sharifullah 10, Nabil 5, Rashedul 0*; Saju 4/23, Kamrul 3/34, Tareq 2/49, Yasin 1/17

Second innings - 76/4 in 32 overs; Imtiaz 4, Golam Rahman 20, Rajin 13, Sharifullah 17, Alok 11*, Golam Mabud 3*; Yasin 3/27, Tareq 1/8.

At the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra, league leaders Khulna Division declared their first innings at 396 for 9 in 117.1 overs with a comfortable 237 runs lead after restricting Barisal Division at 159 for 5 in 60 overs at stumps on the second day on Monday.

With the day's feat, Khulna Division earned four batting bonus points while Barisal Division bagged three bowling bonus points.

National cricketer Tushar Imran, who resumed batting with 122 runs, scored an eye-catching 165 runs off 317 balls with 25 fours and a six while another night watch batsman Ziaur Rahman (20) added another useful 58 runs off 106 balls with seven fours and two sixes.

After the dismissal of the two openers -- Hannan Sarkar (9) and skipper Shahriar Nafees (4) -- for just 27 runs in 5.1 overs, one down Imran Ahmed pairing with season's performer Rakibul Hasan carried the team total to a respectable position scoring 94 runs in the third wicket stand.

Imran scored 60 runs off 141 balls with 10 fours while number four Rakibul Hasan made 38 off 85 balls with six fours.

Murad Khan claimed three wickets for 28 runs in 19 overs with six maidens while national pacer Syed Rasel took two for 32 runs.

Brief score: Khulna Division first innings - 396/9 (dec) in 117.2 overs; Nazmus 3, Imrul 0, Habibul 13, Tushar 165, Shakib 81, Mostafizur 29, Sahagir 1, Mashrafe 17, Ziaur 58, Rasel 3, Murad 0*; Abul Bashar 2/29, Talha 2/51, Sajidul 2/69, Arafat 1/92.

Barisal Division first innings - 159/5 in 60 overs; Hannan 9, Shahriar 4, Imran 60, Raqibul 38, Raisul 6, Abul Bashar 14*, Arafat 13*; Murad 3/28, Rasel 2/32

At the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium, hosts Rajshahi Division resumed the first innings today with 257 for 5 and were all out for 298 in 107 overs, taking a 93-run lead over visiting Dhaka Division who made 205 for 9 in 71 overs at stumps on the second day.

Night watch batsman Rajshahi skipper Khaled Masahud Pilot (68) topscored 73 runs playing 217 balls while another night watch batsman Mushfiqur Rahman scored 65 runs and Farhad Hossain made 55.

Mahbubul Alam Robin captured four wickets for 53 runs while Mohammad Sharif and Mosharraf Hossain Rubel took two wickets each.

For Dhaka Division, middle order Shamsur Rahman contributed team highest 55 runs off 111 balls with eight fours while Mehrab Hossain Jr made 43 off 75 balls with six fours. Skipper Mohammad Ashraful hammered 27 runs off 25 balls with four fours and a six.

Brief score: Rajshahi first innings 298/10 in 107 overs; Junaed 18, Jahirul 19, Naeem 19, Farhad Hossain 55, Mushfiqur 65, Khaled Mashud 73, Alamgir 3, Farhad Reza 32*, Anisur 0, Shahzada 0, Saqlain 0; Mahbubul 4/53, Sharif 2/51, Mosharraf 2/75, Niaz 1/40

Dhaka Division first innings 205/9 in 71 overs; Anwar 0, Javed 36, Al Shahriar 20, Ashraful 27, Mehrab 43, Shamsur 55, Mahmudullah 3, Mosharraf 6, Mahbubul 0, Sharif 4*, Niaz 0*; Saqlain 4/34, Alamgir 3/65, Mushfiqur 1/8, Farhad Reza 1/30.