||Desk Report||

The ideal game plan for Rangpur Division would be to score some quick runs on the fourth day before wrapping up their innings and allow their bowling attack to take care of the rest against the Rajshahi Division batsmen. But that certainly was not the case as Rangpur put up a poor batting performance despite starting the fourth day’s play League with a lead of over 100 runs against Rajshahi.

Rangpur declared their innings at 186/8 with half of the day remaining. Mahmudul Hasan (45) and Dhiman Ghosh (51) stitched together an 81-run stand for the side who otherwise saw a procession of batsmen returning to the pavilion.

Rangpur’s bowling attack was also not as effective as it was in the first innings; hence, the Tier 1 match in the National Cricket League had to end in a stalemate.

Subhashis Roy, who took four wickets for Rangpur in the first innings, caused an early shake in Rajshahi’s batting lineup in the second innings as well.

However, Sabbir Hossain and Farhad Hossain weathered the storm well and remained unbeaten till the end of the match, belting a half-century each as Rajshahi posted a score of 133/2, replying to a 275-run target.

In the first innings, Rangpur posted a 336-run total before bundling out Rajshahi for 248 runs. Rajshahi bowlers did well in the second innings and kept the pressure off their team.

Sunzamul Islam, who took seven wickets for Rajshahi in the first innings, bagged a four-for in the second. Delwar Hossain also got four wickets to his name as the opponents failed to build any pressure on Rajshahi on the fourth and final day.

Rangpur and Rajshahi have picked up one win each in the five rounds of the tournament and the latter is currently leading the points table.

The other Tier 1 clash between Barisal Division and Khulna Division was abandoned as rain ruined all four days of the game. Both teams have failed to register any victory in the ongoing season so far.

The other rain-marred Tier 2 clash between Sylhet Division and Chittagong Division finally saw some progress on the fourth day after the first three days’ play was called off due to rain. Sylhet made 26 runs for the loss of a wicket before the match came to an end.