Afif bags first hattrick of NCL's 27th edition

All three tail-enders were out-leg before as Afif Hossain picked up the first hat-trick of this NCL edition.

Known for his batting exploits, Afif Hossain made up for his golden duck yesterday in the NCL game with six wickets and a hat-trick for Khulna against Barishal at Khulna Divisional Stadium today.

Afif bagged the last three wickets of Barishal innings with all three of Shamsul Islam Anik, Yasir Arafat Mishu and Ruel Mia falling to leg-before decisions in the 42nd over of the innings, to wrap up Barishal's innings for 126 all out.

Afif had earlier picked up the wickets of Salman Hossain Emon, Shamsur Rahman Shuvo and Fazle Mahmud Rabbi.  The feat saw Afif attain his second five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. The left-arm spinner ended with figures of 6 for 31 in 10.5 overs.

Afif became the 19th Bangladeshi bowler to take a hat-trick in first-class cricket. Before him, 18 Bangladeshi bowlers had achieved this feat, among whom Ilias Sunny, Sohag Gazi, and Mohammad Ashraful each recorded two hat-tricks.

Previously, Afif had taken seven for 66 against Rajshahi in the 2018 edition of the NCL, which remains his career-best figure in first-class cricket.

Earlier on day one Khulna had been bowled 313 with Afif getting out for a golden duck. After Barishal were bundled out for 126, they were made to follow-on and reached 119 for 4 at close of day two.

Meanwhile, at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Abu Haider Rony hit ton to propel Mymensingh from an overnight score of 268 for 7 to 401 all out. Battng with tail-enders, Rony struck an unbeaten 105-ball 107, laced with 10 fours and six sixes. Shykat Ali hit fifty for Sylhet but after a solid start, the home side lost their way with veteran Mushfiqur Rahim and Amite Hasan scoring 20-odd runs as Sylhet lost five wickets for 198 at close.

Naeem Islam scored 11000 first-class runs when he reached 47 against Dhaka for Rangpur at Sylhet Academy Ground. The veteran first-class star went on to complete his 34th first-class hundred, remaining unbeaten on 111 as Rangpur ended the day on 308 for 8 with a 87-run first innings lead.

Hasan Murad bagged six for 39 at Rajshahi Divisional Stadium to help Chattogram bowl Rajshahi out for 196. Sabbir Sohan and Shabbir Rahman hit fifties for Rajshahi. Mahmudul Hasan Joy struck fifty in the second innings, having struck a hundred in the first as Chattogram finished day two at 133 for four, with a 338-run second innings lead.