NCL round-up: Chattogram win a thriller; Khulna consolidate top spot

Chattogram Division's last pair Ashraful Hasan and Sanjid Majumder got them home in a one-wicket win against Sylhet Division in the NCL's fifth round match in Chattogram. The thrilling win pushed them to second in the points table.

The pair held their nerve in their 227-run chase with No. 11 Majumder hitting the winning runs off a beautiful straight drive.

Chattogram were on track towards their target for most of the fourth innings until they collapsed late in the day. They lost seven wickets for 23 runs, going from 187 for 3, to 210 for 9. Centurion Sadikur Rahman was the ninth wicket to fall, chipping one to square-leg off Nasum Ahmed. Sadikur had played a lone hand thus far, scoring exactly 100 off 208 balls with nine fours.

In a low-scoring affair, Sylhet were bowled out twice for 218, in between Chattogram making 210 in their first innings. Nasum finished with nine wickets in the match, while Hasan Murad took eight, on opposing sides.

Khulna Division strengthened their position on top of the points table with an eight-wicket win against Mymensingh Division.

When Khulna batted first, Mohammad Mithun and Nurul Hasan struck centuries but Mymensingh bowled them out for 288 runs. Mithun made 119 with 12 fours and five sixes, while Nurul struck nine fours and two sixes in his 104. The pair added 167 runs for the fifth wicket, but Khulna collapsed almost immediately.

Fast bowler Yeasin Arafat took career-best figures of 6 for 40, his third five-wicket haul, and first since 2022.

Khulna then bowled out Mymensingh for 108 runs with four bowlers taking two wickets each. Following on however, Mymensingh had a better time with Al-Amin's century taking them to 319. Al-Amin struck ten fours in his 185-ball stay. Anamul Haque then struck an unbeaten 80 to steer Khulna home in 38.2 overs, chasing 140 runs.

Defending NCL champions Rangpur Division picked up their first win this season when they beat Rajshahi Division by six wickets in Bogra.

Batting first, Rajshahi were bowled out for 231 runs despite SM Meherob's century. He made 101 off 170 balls with 15 fours, while Nihaduzzaman offered support with 57. The pair added 141 runs for the seventh wicket after Rajshahi slipped to 63 for six on the first day.

Rangpur took a 25-run lead after they were bowled out for 256. Anik Sarker and Iqbal Hosen made 75 and 70 respectively, while Asaduzzaman Payel took his maiden five-wicket haul.

Rangpur bowled out Rajshahi for 184 runs with Mehedi Hasan taking three wickets, and then the team took 28.5 overs to chase down the 160 runs in the fourth innings. Mim Mosaddek top scored with 61.

Barishal Division and Dhaka Division played out a rain interrupted drawn game in Rajshahi.

After the first two days were washed off, Barishal were bowled out for 315 with Md Abdullah top scoring with 94. Dhaka's Ashiqur Rahman fell on 99, while both openers Mohammad Naim and Anisul Islam got out in the fifties, as they declared on 251 for five on the final day.