Joy shines with ton as Chattogram dominate Rajshahi on Day 2

Chattogram Division's Mahmudul Hasan Joy scored the first century of the National Cricket League season on Sunday, putting his side in a strong position against Rajshahi Division on Day 2 at Chattogram's Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium.

Joy, recently dropped from the Bangladesh Test side amid a run of poor form, responded with his seventh first-class hundred, finishing unbeaten on 102 off 170 balls. Fellow opener Sadikur Rahman was also unbeaten on 86, taking Chattogram to 190 without loss at Stumps. Earlier in the day, Rajshahi's first innings ended at 364, with spinner Hasan Murad claiming four wickets for 96 runs for Chattogram.

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Elsewhere, Barishal Division suffered a dramatic collapse, bowled out for a meagre 94 against Khulna Division at the Khulna Divisional Stadium. After Iftakhar Hossain top-scored with 44, the innings fell apart. 

Pacer Mehedi Hasan Rana took 3 for 25, while spinner Sheikh Parvez Jibon picked up 3 for 10 in just 3.4 overs. Forced to follow-on, Barishal closed the day at 43 for 2 in their second innings, still trailing by 289 runs. 

Khulna had earlier posted 426 all out, highlighted by a five-wicket haul (5 for 80) from Barishal pacer Ruyel Miah.

At the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mohammad Chowdhury Rizwan delivered an all-round masterclass to put Rangpur Division in the driver's seat against Dhaka Division. Resuming on his overnight score of 38, Rizwan notched a team-high 75 to guide Rangpur to 340 all out. He then returned with the ball to take 2 for 25, leaving Dhaka stumbling at 120 for 6 at stumps.

Meanwhile, at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet batters Zakir Hasan and Shykat Ali failed to kick on after making 60 and 41, respectively, against Mymensingh. However, Asadullah Al Galib's unbeaten 55 steadied the innings, taking Sylhet to 236 for 5 in response to Mymensingh's first-innings total of 311.