||Desk Report||

Rajshahi Division have equaled Khulna Division’s record in the National Cricket League by becoming the champions for the sixth time. They defeated Barisal Division in the sixth and final round to earn the title.

Starting the fourth day’s play at 182/2, Rajshahi needed 102 more runs to seal the game. Their skipper Jahurul Islam made 64 runs before getting out when they were within touching distance of the victory.

Farhad Hossain fell cheaply following the captain’s exit but Junaid Siddique stood firm at one end and completed his hundred.
Junaid remained unbeaten end with 120 runs to his name when Rajshahi won the match by six wickets. He amassed 198 runs in this game, earning himself the Man of the Match award.

In the first innings, Barisal were all-out for 97 runs as debutant Mohor Sheikh bagged a fifer for Rajshahi. Monir Hossain later claimed a hat-trick, completing his five-wicket haul to bundle out Rajshahi for 160 runs.

Mohor took three scalps in the second innings while Farhad Reza’s four-for stopped Barisal at 346 runs.

Rajshahi won two of their six games this season with the other four games ending in draws. Barisal, on the other hand, registered two defeats, three draws, and one no-result. They have picked up the wooden spoon in Tier 1 and will be relegated to Tier 2 ahead of the upcoming season.