Anticlimactic finish

The fourth and final day of the fourth round was expected to be an exciting conclusion to the 19th National Cricket League, however, all the matches across the country ended in draws yesterday while rain once again played spoilsport.

It was a close encounter between Chittagong and Dhaka Metro at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium in Chittagong but the hosts should be glad with the result as they struggled on 97 for 6 by the end of the match where Dhaka Metro set a target of 274 runs.

Dhaka Metro's Saykat Ali and Nihad Uz Zaman picked up two wickets each in the keenly contested affair where Sadikur Rahman top scored for the port city outfit with 33 runs.

Resuming the day on a first innings 216 for 8, Chittagong were all-out on 261 runs after their number 10 batsman Wahidul Alam struck a quick fifty to close out the innings.

Dhaka Metro then scored some quick runs in their second innings where Shamsur Rahman struck a blistering 67 ball 102 run knock, which featured eight fours and five sixes, remaining unbeaten as his side declared on 165-3 in 21 overs.

In the Tier-2 game at the Shaheed Chandu stadium in Bogra, Imtiaz Hossain registered his 10th first-class ton as his side; Sylhet scored 151 for 2 in their second innings against Rajshahi to draw the game.

The right-hander smashed 14 fours and four sixes during his 160 ball 108 run knock. Rajshahi had earlier resumed the day on 279 for 3 and declared their first innings on 370 for 7 in the first hour.

Meanwhile, the Tier-1 fixture between Khulna and Rangpur at the Shahid Kamruzzaman stadium in Rajshahi was halted due to inclement weather. Khulna completed the day on 141 for 1 in 31 overs as inclement weather forced the rest of the game to a close.

Opening batsman Mahedi Hasan was unbeaten on 88 runs off 133 balls, which includes 15 fours, while partner Robiul Islam added 29. Rangpur had initially taken a first innings lead by scoring 317 for 9 after Khulna were all-out on 218.

Lastly, the other Tier-1 game between Dhaka Division and Barisal was washed out without a ball being bowled at the Sheikh Abu Naser stadium in Khulna.

Barisal took a innings lead and posted 299 after Dhaka Division were all-out on a first innings 250 and 110 for 3 for their second innings after the third day.

SCORES IN BRIEF 

BARISAL VS DHAKA DIV
DHAKA: 250 and 110 for 3 in 38 overs (Rakibul 39 not out, Zahiduzzaman 37; Salman 1-22) 
BARISAL: 299 all-out in 102 overs (Shohag 73, Nuruzzaman 68, Shamsul 56; Shuvagata 4-62) 
Result: Match drawn.
CHITTAGONG VS DHAKA METRO
DHAKA METRO: 369 for 9 declared and 165 for 3 in 21 overs (Shamsur 102 not out, Asif 20; Belal 1-22) 
CHITTAGONG: 261 all-out in 90.5 overs (Sazzadul 59, Wahidul 58; Ashraful 3-65) 
Result: Match drawn.
KHULNA VS RANGPUR
KHULNA: 218 and 141-1 in 43 overs ( Mahedi 88, Robiul 29) 
RANGPUR: 317 for 9 declared ( Jahid 115, Dhiman 69; Ziaur 3-29, Mahedi 2-52) 
Result: Match drawn.
RAJSHAHI VS SYLHET
SYLHET: 221 all-out and 151 for 2 in 63 overs (Imtiaz 108, Anwar 36); RAJSHAHI: 370 for 7 in 77 overs (Mizanur 143, Zunaid 89; Jayed 4-80, Imran 3-101) 
Result: Match drawn.