|| Desk Report ||

Barisal Division were on the receiving end of some aggressive bowling led by Rajshahi Division’s debutant Mohor Sheikh on the first day of their Tier 1 clash in the National Cricket League. Mohor bagged a fifer in his maiden first-class innings as Barisal could only total 97 runs in their first innings.

Rajshahi, too, were not very impressive with the bat as they have scored 124 runs so far, losing six of their wickets. Their batsman Sabbir Rahman again failed to open his account for a second successive time in the tournament, while Junaid Siddique singlehandedly tried to keep things in Rajshahi’s favor, finishing unbeaten on 72 runs at the end of the first day.

Winning the toss, Rajshahi elected to field first at their home ground. Shafiqul Islam started well to scythe through the top-order of Barisal. Al-Amin and Mosaddek Hossain then tried to weather the storm by building a partnership, but Mohor removed both before they could go past 25 runs.

Mohor and Farhad Reza wreaked havoc on the opponents to pick up the last seven wickets with the former registering his first-ever five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.

In reply, Tanvir Islam gave Barisal a breakthrough by dismissing Rajshahi’s opener Mizanur Rahman for a duck. Sabbir Hossain and Farhad Hossain also fell cheaply against Kamrul Islam Rabbi, before Monir Hossain struck twice to dismiss Rajshahi’s skipper, Jahurul Islam, along with Sabbir.

Sohag Gazi also picked up a wicket before the umpires called stumps.

Rajshahi have so far earned a 27-run lead and will look to add to it on the second day of the sixth and final round of the tournament, with Junaid still unbeaten.

The Jahurul-led men are currently at the top of the Tier 1 points table, with one win and four draws to their name. Barisal, on the other hand, lost their last match against Rangpur Division and were part of three drawn matches, with no victory under their belt.

 

Scores

(Day 1: Stumps)