The final round of the 27th National Cricket League is in full swing, with the race for the title reaching a thrilling stage. On the second day, Sylhet’s Zakir Hasan and Dhaka’s Ashikur Rahman both reached centuries, while Rajshahi’s left-arm spinner Sanjamul Islam and Khulna’s pace bowler Safur Ali claimed five-wicket hauls.
At Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Dhaka piled on the runs, leaving Chattogram’s title hopes in tatters. The team resumed at 356 for 2 and extended their first innings to 541 for 6 before declaring. Chattogram struggled in reply, losing six wickets for just 94 runs.
Dhaka opener Anisul Islam began the day hoping to convert his maiden century into a double hundred. However, after adding only three more runs to his overnight score of 183, he was caught behind off national pacer Hasan Mahmud. Earlier, Anisul had shared a 206-run third-wicket partnership with Marshall Ayub, who had reached a century the previous day before falling for 165 to Hasan Murad.
Dhaka’s third centurion, Ashikur Rahman, had been forced off the field yesterday after scoring just 27. He returned following Anisul’s dismissal and remained unbeaten on 100, marking his third first-class century.
Chattogram’s innings continued to struggle against Dhaka’s pace attack, losing four wickets for just 23 runs. Yasir Ali and Irfan Shukkur stabilised with a 61-run partnership, but Dhaka’s bowlers quickly struck again. Sumon Khan took three wickets, Ripon Mondal two, and Salauddin Shakil one.
In Sylhet, Rajshahi’s faded title hopes were compounded as they ended Mymensingh’s challenge. Chasing a 219-run first-innings lead, Rajshahi reached a total lead of 292 after taking six wickets for 210 in their second innings. Mymensingh were all out for 64 in 24.3 overs after starting the day on 73 for 2. Sanjamul Islam starred with 5.1 overs, taking five wickets for just 18 runs, marking his 27th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.
In Bogura, Khulna and Rangpur contested another competitive match. Khulna, starting the day on 302 for 9, were eventually all out for 308. Safur Ali’s pace dismantled Rangpur’s first innings, taking five wickets as the team were all out for 174. This was Safur’s third five-wicket haul in just seven first-class matches.
Back in Sylhet, captain Zakir Hasan rescued his team after they lost four wickets for just 47 runs. Partnering with Ashraful Hasan (41), Zakir added 113 runs. He remained unbeaten on 130 by the close of play, marking his 16th first-class century and surpassing the 6,000-run milestone in his career.
