Chattogram Division clinched a nail-biting one-wicket victory over Sylhet Division in the fifth round of the National Cricket League (NCL) in Chattogram, propelling them to second place on the points table. The final pair, Ashraful Hasan and Sanjid Majumder, kept their composure as Majumder sealed the win with a masterful straight drive during their 227-run chase.
Chattogram appeared on course for a comfortable win until a dramatic collapse saw them lose seven wickets for just 23 runs, stumbling from 187 for 3 to 210 for 9. Sadikur Rahman, who had anchored their innings with a century (100 from 208 balls, hitting nine fours), was the ninth man out, caught at square-leg off Nasum Ahmed. It was a match featuring strong bowling performances, with Sylhet dismissed twice for 218 and Chattogram making 210 in their initial innings. Nasum claimed an impressive nine wickets overall, while Hasan Murad took eight scalps for the opposition.
Meanwhile, Khulna Division solidified their standing at the top of the table with an emphatic eight-wicket triumph over Mymensingh Division. Khulna posted 288 in their first innings, thanks to centuries from Mohammad Mithun (119, including 12 fours and five sixes) and Nurul Hasan (104, with nine fours and two sixes), who together amassed a 167-run partnership for the fifth wicket before a sudden collapse occurred.
The match saw a standout bowling effort by fast bowler Yeasin Arafat, who recorded career-best figures of 6 for 40, marking his third five-wicket haul and first since 2022. After bowling out Mymensingh for 108, Khulna faced a bit of resistance in the following innings as Al-Amin’s century (185 balls, striking ten fours) helped Mymensingh reach 319. Nonetheless, Anamul Haque’s unbeaten 80 guided Khulna home in just 38.2 overs, chasing down 140 runs.
In Bogra, defending champions Rangpur Division registered their first season victory against Rajshahi Division, sealing a six-wicket win. Despite SM Meherob’s 101, Rajshahi managed only 231 in their opening innings, with Nihaduzzaman adding 57. Rangpur then took a slender 25-run advantage by scoring 256, led by Anik Sarker (75) and Iqbal Hosen (70), while Asaduzzaman Payel secured his maiden five-wicket haul.
Rangpur then bowled Rajshahi out for 184, where Mehedi Hasan took three wickets. In their final innings, Rangpur rode on Mim Mosaddek’s 61 to chase down 160 runs in 28.5 overs.
Elsewhere, the encounter between Barishal and Dhaka Divisions in Rajshahi was marred by rain, ending in a draw. After the first two days were rained out, Barishal posted 315 on the board, with Md Abdullah top scoring at 94. Dhaka’s Ashiqur Rahman narrowly missed his century, falling at 99, alongside fifties from openers Mohammad Naim and Anisul Islam, leading to their declaration at 251 for five on the final day.
