The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Dhaka Division finished runners-up in the one-day Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 9th National Cricket League beating new champions Rajshahi Division by 51 runs in the 10th and final round at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) on Tuesday.

Both Dhaka Division (+0.31) and Khulna Division (+0.25) have secured 12 points, but Dhaka placed second by virtue of better run rate while Khulna placed third. Rajshahi Division earlier clinched the title after the 8th round with 14 points.

In the day's other two matches, opener Imrul Kayes hit yet another century as Khulna Division outplayed Barisal Division by seven wickets at the Bir Shreshtha Shahid Matiur Rahman Stadium (BSSRAS) in Khulna. Chittagong Division also crushed Sylhet Division by seven wickets in the day's other match at the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium (NOS).

Sylhet Division finished 4th with 8 points while Barisal Division finished 5th, also securing eight points. Chittagong Division remained at the bottom with 6 points.

Opting to bat first at the SBNS, two useful half centuries by opener Anwar Hossain and middle order Mahmudullah Riyadh enabled Dhaka Division to post 254 for 8 in the allocated 50 overs.

Anwar top scored 65 runs off 91 balls with six fours while Riyadh made 52 off 82 balls with three fours. Nazmul Hossain hammered 42 runs off 31 balls that featured one four and three sixes.

Middle order Nadif Chowdhury 34, opener Javed Omar 29 and Mosharraf Hossain Rubel 10 were the other notable scorers for hosts Dhaka Division.

Saqlain Sajib claimed four wickets for 52 runs in 10 overs while medium pacer Mushfiqur Rahman took two wickets for 52 runs.

In reply, Rajshahi Division were all out for 203 in 48.5 overs with number six Nayeem Islam making team highest 43 off 57 balls that included two fours.

Mahbubul Alam Mustakim and tail-ender Mohammad Shahjada scored 41 runs each while opener Shakil Haider made 27, Delwar Hossain 12 and Farhad Hossain 11.

Veteran spinner Mohammad Rafique grabbed three wickets for 29 runs in 9.5 overs while Mehrab Hossain Jr. took two wickets for 53 runs.

Anwar Hossain of Dhaka Division was adjudged man of the match.

Sent into bat first at the BSSRAS, Rokibul Hasan hammered 133 runs off 131 balls with nine fours and three sixes as Barisal Division piled up 265 for 6 in the allocated 50 overs.

After early exit of openers Hannan Sarker and Nasiruddin Faruque, both at 4, Kamrul Islam and Rokibul put up a good partnership of 156 runs in the 3rd wicket before Kamrul returned to the pavilion making 43 leaving team total at 165 for 3.

Number seven Arafat Salahuddin and Shaheen Hossain remained till the end with 48 and 16 runs respectively to enable Barisal Division make a fighting total.

Pacer Zaiur Rahman took two wickets for 76 runs while Nazmus Sadat, Monjurul Islam and Nahidul Huq took one wicket each.

In reply, Kayes, who earlier hit 121 against Sylhet Division, was on high note again today as his unbeaten 133 off 151 balls with 11 fours and four sixes guided Khulna Division to reach 268 for 3 in 47.4 overs. Kayes was later named man of the match.

After the departure of three top order batsmen -- Nazmus Sadat 21, Mostafizur Rahman 36 and Monirul Islam 0, Kayes along with wicket keeper Sahagir Hossain Pavel did the rest putting up 168 runs in the 4th wicket stand to earn the fresh four-day champions an outright victory. Sahagir remained unbeaten on 75 off 78 balls that featured five fours and two sixes.

In the day's other last round match at the NOS, Sylhet Division were all out for 198 in 50 overs after sent into bat first by Chittagong Division.

Number five Golam Mabud contributed innings highest 69 runs off 100 balls with five fours and a six while Sharifullah 28 and Rana Mia not out 20 were the other notable scorers.

Right-arm pacer Tareq Aziz Khan captured three wickets for 25 runs in 8 overs while Kazi Kamrul Islam took two wickets for 34.

In reply, Faisal Hossain Dickens and Dhiman Ghosh scored unbeaten fifties as Chittagong Division reached the target scoring 202 for 3 in 30.1 overs.

Dhiman remained not out on 73 hitting 11 fours and a six while Faisal remained unbeaten on 71 off 77 balls with nine fours and two sixes.

Earlier, after the early exit of Elias Sunny 8 and Mahbubul Karim 1, one down Nazimuddin scored 33 runs.

Saif Mahmud, Golam Rahman and Rashedur Rahman took one wicket each.

Dhiman Ghosh was adjudged man of the match.

Barisal vs Khulna: Barisal 265/6 in 50 overs; Hannan 4, Nasiruddin 4, Kamrul 43, Roquibul 133, Raisul 0, Abul Bashar 0, Arafat 47*, Shaheen 16*; Ziaur 2/76, Nazmus 1/36, Monjurul 1/39, Nahidul 1/51 Khulna 268/3 Over -47.4; Nazmus 21, Mostafizur 36, Monirul 0, Imrul 133*, Sahagir 75*; Monwar 1/30, Sumon 1/60

Dhaka vs Rajshahi: Dhaka 254/8 in 50 overs; Javed 29, Anwar 65, Mosharraf 10, Mehrab jr 0, Mahmudullah 52, Nadif 34, Nazmul 42*, Rafiq 9, Sharif 6; Saqlain 4/52, Mushfiqur 2/52, Delwar 1/26, Jubaer 1/36 Rajshahi 203/10 Over -48.5; Shakil 27, Robiul 10, Mizanur 5, Farhad 11, Mahbubul 41, Naeem 43, Mushfiqur 4, Jubaer 0, Shahzada 41, Delwar 12, Saqlain 0*; Rafique 3/29, Mehrab jr 2/53, Mahbubul 1/26, Mosharraf 1/26, Sharif 1/37

Sylhet vs Chittagong: Sylhet 198/10 in 50 overs; Golam Mabud 69, Sharifullah 28, Rana 20; Tareq 3/25, Kamrul 2/34 Chittagong 202/3 Over -30.1; Nazimuddin 33, Elias 8, Mahbubul 1, Faisal 71*, Dhiman 73*; Golam Rahman 1/21, Saif 1/24, Rashedur 1/30