Another day of runs, another round of likely draws

Batters continued to dominate on the third day of the second round of the National Cricket League (NCL) 2026-27 on Monday, with three of the four matches heading towards draws, mirroring the opening round, when three matches also ended without a result.

At the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet Division reached 431 for five in reply to Dhaka Division’s 547 for six declared, having resumed their overnight score of 154 for two. Sylhet still trail by 116 runs, and with one day remaining and both sides yet to bat in their second innings, a draw appears almost inevitable.

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Four Sylhet batters passed fifty, with Asadulla Al Gabib scoring 89 off 124 balls and Shykat Ali making 60 off 125. Ashraful Hasan Rihad and Tofael Ahmed remained unbeaten on 81 and 56 respectively.

In the other match in Sylhet, Mymensingh Division were bowled out for 295 after resuming at 183 for six, falling 127 runs short of Rangpur Division’s 422 for nine declared. Abul Hider Rony top-scored with 52 off 77 balls, while Mushfik Hasan, Shadhin Islam and Iqbal Hosen claimed three wickets apiece for Rangpur.

Rangpur then reached 195 for six in their second innings to extend their overall lead to 322 runs. Skipper Akbar Ali led the way with 74 off 97 balls.

At the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Khulna Division added 21 runs to their overnight score of 463 for nine before being bowled out for 484, taking a massive 365-run first-innings lead over Rajshahi Division, who had managed just 119. Nihad Uz Zaman was Rajshahi’s leading bowler, claiming four wickets for 115 runs.

Rajshahi responded strongly, with openers Habibur Rahman Sohan and Sabbir Hossain putting on 126 runs. Habibur fell for 90 off 83 balls, including six fours and eight sixes.

Sabbir then added 113 for the second wicket with Nayeem Ahmed, who scored 69, before both were dismissed in quick succession. Pritom Kumar, unbeaten on 27, and Sabbir Rahman, not out on 21, added 48 for the fourth wicket to take Rajshahi to 300 for three at stumps, leaving them 65 runs behind.

The only fixture still offering a realistic prospect of a result is the contest between Chattogram and Barishal in Cox’s Bazar. Barishal ended the day at 149 for four in their second innings, needing another 145 runs to avoid an innings defeat.

Iftakhar Hossain top-scored with 74 off 139 balls, while Zawad Abrar made 41 as the pair put on 94 for the opening wicket. Left-arm spinner Ashraful Hasan then struck three times in quick succession to put Chattogram firmly in control.

Earlier, Chattogram, who resumed at 479 for four, were bowled out for 576 to establish a 294-run lead. Skipper Irfan Shukkur scored 112 off 114 balls, while Shahadat Hossain Dipu, who had resumed on 101, finished with 109.

For Barishal, left-arm spinner Ovi Ahmed claimed four wickets for 98 runs, while Moin Khan and Ruyel Miah took three and two wickets respectively.