The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Holders Dhaka Division earned a comfortable 217-run victory over Barisal Division in the 8th round four-day match of the Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 9th National Cricket League at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Monday.

In the day's two other matches, Chittagong Division up set host Rajshahi Division by 21 runs at the Rajshahi Division Stadium while Khulna settled for a draw against Sylhet Division at the Khulna Divisional Stadium.

After the day's eighth round matches, Khulna Division took a solo lead in the prestigious four-day league securing 92 points collecting 12 points from the day's round while Rajshahi Division followed them with 84 points having just four points in the 8th round.

Chittagong Division remained at the third slot collecting 77 points bagging 12 points in the day's round while holders Dhaka Division followed them neck and neck with 76 points despite collecting 14 points today.

Barisal Division bagged 59 points with the day's four points and Sylhet Division remained at bottom with 52 points having 8 points today.

At Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka Division, having 262 runs in the first innings, resumed the 2nd innings with overnight 205 for 4, and finally declared the innings at 294 for 5 in 87 overs forcing Barisal Division to chase a huge total of 363 runs in the 2nd innings.

Night watch batsman Mahmudullah Riyad (35) contributed an unconquered 81 in 110 balls with seven fours and one six while another night watch batsman Nadif Chowdhury (15) added an useful 50 off 72 balls featuring three boundaries apart from skipper Al Shahiar Rokon's 92 runs.

Chasing a huge total, Barisal Division opened the second innings with first innings 193 runs and bundled out for 146 runs in 65 overs to suffer a humiliating defeat. Among the Barisal batsmen, two down Rakibul Hasan (46), lower order Sajedul Islam (not out 26) and opener Nasiruddin Faruk could mange double figure.

Spinner Mosharaf Hossain Rubel bowled devastatingly to grab five wickets for just 27 runs in 20 overs with eight maidens and was adjudged man of the match. Pacer Mahbubul Alam Robin took three for 46 runs in 11 overs. Brief Score: Dhaka Division 1st innings- 262 all out in 110.1 overs, Nadif Chowdhury 39, Mosharraf Rubel 40, Mehrab Hossain 33, Mohammad Sharif 57, Uttam Sarker 16, Al-Shahriar 16, Mahmudullah Riad 12, extras 17, Sajedul Islam 2/45, Tariqul Islam 3/85, Talha Jubaer 2/46, Arafat Salahuddin 2/57.

Dhaka Division - 262 & 294 for 5 (Dec) in 87 overs. Al Shahriar 92, Mahmudullah Riyad not out 81, Nadif Chowdhury 50, Mehrab Hossain 37, Uttam Sarker 10, Anwar Hossain 10, extras 12, Tariqul Islam 3/110.

Barisal Division- 193 & 146 all out in 65 overs. Rakibul Hasan 46, Sajedul Islam not out 26, Nasiruddin Faruk 16, Imran Ahmed 9, Raisul Islam 9, Shahriar Nafees 7, extras 14, Moshrraf Hossain Rubel 5/27, Mahbubul Alam Robin 3/46.

At the Rajshahi Division Stadium, Chittagong Division managed a 21-run victory over league leader and hosts Rajshahi Division in a vital national league match.

Chittagong Division scored 198 runs in the first innings and 301 runs in the second innings after restricting Rajshahi for 118 runs in the first innings.

Chasing a huge target of 381 runs, Rajshahi Division resumed the second innings with overnight 115 for 1 and were all out for 360 runs in 94.1 overs to miss the target narrowly.

Opener Shakil Haider, who was batting with 57 runs, hammered 76 off 117 deliveries with nine hits to the fence and two over the fence while another night watch batsman Farhad Hossain (52) made 83 off 152 balls hitting 14 fours and one six.

Naeem Islam and Mushfiqur Rahman Babu scored 48 and 47 runs respectively.

Yasir Arafat claimed four Rajshahi wickets for 96 runs while skipper Ehsanul Haque Sezan, pacer Tareq Aziz and Mohammad Yunus took two wickets each conceding 38, 63 and 88 runs respectively.

Chittagong Division - 198 & 301 all out in 98.3 over; Gazi Salahuddin 49, Masumuddowla 28, Mahbubul 3, Nazimuddin 52, Faisal 25, Ehsanul 48, Dhiman 39, Kamrul 2, Yasin 34*, Tareq 15, Yunus 2; Farhad 2/42, Mahbub 2/44, Shahzada 2/53, Saiful 2/76, Mushfiqur 1/34, Alamgir 1/37.

Rajshahi Division - 118 & 360 all out in 94.1 overs; Shakil Haider 76, Farhad Hossain 83, Naeem Islam 48, Khaled Mashud 0, Jahirul Islam 5, Mahbub Alam 11, Mohammad Shahzada 15, Mushfiqur Rahman Babu 47, Saiful Islam 29, Alamgir Kabir not out 29; Yasin Arafat 4/96, Ehsanul Haque 2/38, Tareq Aziz 2/63, Mohammad Younus 2/88. At the Bir Shreshtha Matiur Rahman Stadium (BSMRS) in Khulna, skipper Rajin Saleh and Alok Kapali notched centuries as the 8th round four-day match between Sylhet Division and hosts Khulna Division ended in a draw on the final day.

Resuming the day with overnight 2nd innings score of 39 for 2, Sylhet Division managed 362 for 5 in 102 overs when play was called off for the last day.

Rajin remained unbeaten on 131 off 220 balls featuring 14 fours and a six to score his first century in the ongoing league. Kapali also hit his 2nd century in the season making 111 off 110 balls, hitting 12 fours and two sixes.

Besides, overnight opener Imtiaz Hossain played a handy knock of 57 playing 86 balls coloured with eight fours while Enamul Haque Jr. 29, Golam Mabud not out 9 were the other notable scorers.

Spinner Murad Khan claimed three wickets for 93 runs in 31 overs while Sahaghir Hossain and Aslam Khan took one wicket each for Khulna Division.

Khulna Division batsman Imrul Kayes, who scored 138 on the 3rd day to help his side in piling up a huge 421 for all in the first innings, was adjudged man of the match.

Earlier, coin-favoured Sylhet Division were all out for 300 in their first innings.

Brief Score:

Sylhet Division - 300 & 362/5 in 102 overs; Imtiaz 57, Enamul 23, Alok 111, Rajin 131*, Golam Rahman 9*; Murad 3/93, Aslam 1/33, Sahagir 1/24.

Khulna Division first innings - 421/10 in 129 overs; Imrul 138, Nazmus 47, Mostafizur 43, Habibul 0, Nahidul 58, Sahagir 54, Farid 33, Ziaur 3, Aslam 1, Robiul 6, Murad 4*; Enamul 5/126, Alok 2/37, Nabil 2/68, Rashedur 1/84.