||CF Correspondent ||

Opener Anamul Haque Bijoy struck a scintillating century as Khulna Division kept Dhaka Division at bay on day one of the third round of National Cricket League (NCL) at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium-1, Cox’s Bazar on Saturday.

Anamul had to retire due to his hamstring injury after scoring 112 off 205, smashing nine fours and five sixes but Khulna had placed them nicely, ending the day on 290-6.

Opting to bat first in the Tier-1 game of NCL, Khulna lost opener Robiul Islam Robi (10) and Mahedi Hasan (0) cheaply to be reduced to 16-2 before Anamul and veteran Tushar Imran brought the side back in contention, sharing a 166-run for the third wicket stand.

Tushar was dismissed for 55 to being an end to the partnership as Taibur Rahman had him caught by Shakil Hossain.

Khulna then tasted a double blow when Anamul had to retire and Nurul Hasan Sohan was dismissed for 1, leaving the side to 204-4. Mithun made 45 while Ziaur Rahman scored 27 to help Khulna bounce back again.

Before the bails were drawn, Mehidy Hasan Miraz was batting on 30 with Abdur Razzak on 4.

Sumon Khan and Taibur Rahman scalped two wickets apiece for Dhaka.

Rajshahi vs Rangpur

Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain hogged the headline in another Tier-1 game between Rajshahi and Rangpur at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium-2, Cox’s Bazar.

The youngster, playing his only third first class game, claimed 5-50, his maiden  class five-for as Rangpur dismissed Rajshahi for 201 in its first innings. At the end of the day, Rangpur reached 32-2, trailing by 169 runs still.

Amid the carnage of Rishad, captain Farhad Hossain drove the side past 200 as he smashed 60 off 113 with four fours and one six.

But he didn’t adequately support from his more illustrious colleagues like Sabbir Rahman, Nazmul Hossain Shanto and others. Shanto however was the next best scorer with 34 but Sabbir scored just 8. Opener Mizanur Rahman was the other notable scorer with 24.

Sajedul Islam and Suhrawardi Shubo snapped up two wickets apiece to complement Rishad’s five-for.

Meanwhile, day one of the all of the two games of the Tier-2—Dhaka Metro vs Barishal at Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra and Chattogram vs Sylhet at Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshah was washed out without a ball being bowled due to relentless rain.

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