Mahmudul Hasan Joy struck the first century of the ongoing National Cricket League (NCL) on Sunday as Chattogram Division put themselves in a commanding position against Rajshahi Division at the Bir Shrestha Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium.
The right-hander, currently outside Bangladesh’s Test set-up, reached his seventh first-class century with a composed unbeaten 102 off 170 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes. His hundred came as Chattogram made a strong reply to Rajshahi’s 364, reaching 190 without loss at stumps on the second day.
Joy and Sadikur Rahman gave the hosts a near-perfect start, adding 190 for the opening wicket. Sadikur remained unbeaten on 86 at the close, leaving Chattogram 174 runs behind Rajshahi with eight wickets in hand.
The partnership mirrored Rajshahi’s opening stand from the first day, when Habibur Rahman Sohan and Sabbir Hossain put together 127. Both pairs appeared comfortable against the Kookaburra ball, which returned to the NCL this season after four years, although the batting-friendly Sagarika surface also played its part.
Elsewhere, Barishal put Khulna under severe pressure at the Khulna Divisional Stadium after taking a huge first-innings lead.
After Khulna posted 426, Barishal were bowled out for just 94, with Ruyel Miah claiming the first five-wicket haul of this season’s NCL. Mehedi Hasan Rana and Sheikh Parvez Jibon took three wickets each for Khulna.
Khulna then enforced the follow-on, leaving Barishal 289 runs behind. The visitors reached 43 for two at stumps, still requiring another 246 runs to make Khulna bat again.
At the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Rangpur were bundled out for 340 in their first innings against Dhaka. Left-arm spinner Arif Ahmed claimed four wickets, while Aminul Islam Biplob and Anamul Haque took two apiece.
Dhaka were soon in trouble at 74 for six before Taibur Rahman and Sumon Khan halted the collapse. They took Dhaka to 120 for six by stumps, leaving the home side 220 runs behind.
In the other match, Sylhet ended the day 75 runs behind Mymensingh after reaching 236 for five in reply to Mymensingh’s 311.
Zakir Hasan led the response with a 60 before Asadulla Al Galib followed with 55, helping Sylhet recover from a difficult start and close in on Mymensingh’s first-innings total.
