The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sports Reporter

Barisal Division, Chittagong Division and Sylhet Division won their respective opening one-dayer matches of the Ispahani Mirzapur Tea 10th National Cricket League at the different venues on Thursday.

At the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium, Barisal Division posted a narrow two-wicket win over Rajshahi Division.

Chasing Rajshahi's 144 off 39.1 overs, Barisal reached the winning target making 145 for the loss of eight wickets when they had just eight balls to spare.

Anisur Rahman of Rajshahi was his team's only batsman who was able to make a respectable score. He hit 37 off 65 balls including three fours.

Rony Talukdar of Barisal harpooned three wickets instead of 26 runs while Arafat Salauddin and Monwar Hossain chipped in with two wickets each for 15 and 41 runs respectively.

Later, all Barisal batsmen failed to hit a notable score though Barisal won the match.

Sohrawardy Shuvo of Rajshahi captured four wickets at the cost of 23 runs.

Delwar Hossain and Mahbub Alam got two wickets each conceding 39 and 49 runs respectively.

At the BKSP Ground, Chittagong Division composed an easy five-wicket victory over Dhaka Division.

Electing to field first, Chittagong bowlers bowled out Dhaka for 173 off 47.2 overs.

In reply, Chittagong Division sailed home in 45.3 overs scoring 174 for the loss of five wickets.

Chittagong had a disastrous start as they lost their early two wickets for 50 runs.

Later, Skipper Nafis Iqbal and Rezaul Karim contributed together 93 runs for the third wicket partnership before Rezaul Karim returned to the pavilion when Chittagong's total was 143 for the loss of three wickets.

Nafis Iqbal notched up a fine 57 off 95 balls amid four fours while Rezaul Karim was deprived for a half century for just one runs.

Rezaul hit 49 off 73 balls including five fours and a sixer.

Earlier, Marshal Ayub of Dhaka hit a notable 49 playing 71 balls.

Rezaul Karim of Chittagong claimed four wickets at the cost of 25 runs while Sajjadul Haque, Md Younus and Tareq Aziz bagged a couple of wickets each for 21, 34 and 37 runs respectively.

At the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium, Sylhet Division registered a formidable nine-wicket victory over Khulna Division.

Khulna Division batted first and then, they were skittled out for 125 off 33 overs.

In reply, Sylhet Division sailed home in 11.4 overs making 128 for the loss of one wicket.

Saikat Ali of Sylhet remained undefeated with 51 facing 33 deliveries. His quick-fire innings was ornamented with six fours and two sixes.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Md Mithun hit 48 (not out) using 35 balls.He sent the ball seven times through the ropes and one time over the fence.

Earlier, Taposh Ghosh and Nazmul Hossain played the key role in demolishing Khulna innings.

Taposh and Nazmul grabbed three wickets each giving away 15 and 31 runs respectively.

Subhashis Roy took two wickets for 36 runs.