NCL DAY 4: Rajshahi’s Farhad farewell, Dhaka teams draw, Mithun hits ton for Khulna

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Farhad Hossain ends his first-class cricket journey after 19 years

Farhad Hossain, the seasoned batter from Rajshahi, has brought his 19-year-long first-class cricket career to an end. Debuting in March 2005, Farhad played his 161st and final match at the same venue where his journey began—Rajshahi. The 37-year-old batting all-rounder retired after representing Rajshahi against Rangpur in the National Cricket League.

Farhad amassed 9,065 runs with 18 centuries in his illustrious career and claimed 165 wickets in first-class cricket.

Following the conclusion of the Rajshahi-Rangpur match, his teammates honored him, gifting him signed jerseys. The Bangladesh Cricket Board presented him with a commemorative crest, handed over by selector Hannan Sarkar.

However, Farhad’s final match did not end on a high note. He scored 26 and 9 in his two innings, and his team suffered a 101-run defeat. Starting the final day at 62 for 6, Rajshahi was bowled out for 161 in their second innings, handing Rangpur their second win of the tournament while Rajshahi endured their second loss.

Draw in Sylhet-Khulna match as Mithun scores a century

The Sylhet-Khulna match at Cox’s Bazar Academy Ground ended in a draw. After trailing by 223 runs in the first innings, Khulna followed on and finished their second innings at 296 for 3, forcing a draw.

Mohammad Mithun starred for Khulna, remaining unbeaten on 102 off 108 balls, featuring seven fours and seven sixes. Mithun brought up his 16th first-class century by hitting Sylhet’s Toufik Khan for a six, after which the match ended in a draw.

In addition to Mithun, Anamul Haque (54), Imrul Kayes (71), and Nurul Hasan (50*) made significant contributions to Khulna’s second innings.

Thrilling draw between two Dhaka teams

A dramatic finish at the Sylhet Academy Ground saw the match between Dhaka Division and Dhaka Metropolis end in a draw. Chasing a target of 157, Dhaka Division finished at 148 for 8 before bad light forced the day’s play to end.

Dhaka Metropolis’ bowlers shone, with left-arm spinner Rakibul Hasan claiming 4 wickets and left-arm pacer Abu Hider taking 3.

Earlier in the day, Dhaka Metropolis, resuming at 186 for 6, were bowled out for 267. Dhaka Division pacer Anamul Haque delivered an exceptional performance, picking up 6 wickets for 81 runs in the second innings to go with his 4-wicket haul in the first. This marked the best match figures of the 24-year-old’s 21-match career.

Yesterday, left-arm spinner Ashraful Hasan claimed a six-fer to help Chattogram secure their first victory in the ongoing NCL, crushing Barishal by eight wickets.