Sabbir Rahman ends eight-year first-class century drought

Rajshahi Division’s Sabbir Rahman ended an eight-year wait for a first-class century to help his side secure a draw against Khulna Division on the final day of the second round of the National Cricket League at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Tuesday.

Sabbir struck 113 off 221 balls, featuring eight fours and a six, to register his fifth first-class century. His previous hundred came in 2018, when he scored 165 in Bangladesh A’s opening unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A in Chattogram. That remains his highest first-class score.

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Pritom Kumar (44), Sunzamul Islam (39), Ali Mohammad (11 not out) and Shafiqul Islam (15 not out) also made valuable contributions as Rajshahi reached 500 for nine in their second innings before the two sides agreed to a draw.

Resuming at 300 for three on the final day, Rajshahi came under pressure in the final session when Khulna’s Afif Hossain took two wickets and Sheikh Paeviz Jibon dismissed Sabbir within six deliveries to reduce them to 474 for nine.

Rajshahi were then leading by 109 runs, with nearly 26 overs remaining. However, last-wicket pair Ali and Shafiqul frustrated Khulna’s bowlers, facing 50 and 58 deliveries respectively, to bat out 18 overs and secure the draw.

Khulna’s Mahedi Hasan was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance, having scored 104 in the first innings and taken eight wickets in the match.

The two other matches, both played in Sylhet, also ended in draws.

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Another day of runs, another round of likely draws

At the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet Division, resuming at 431 for five, were bowled out for 496 in their first innings. Ashraful Hasan scored 122 off 259 balls, while Tofael Ahmed contributed 73. Dhaka Division’s Aminul Islam Biplob claimed five wickets for 108 runs.

Ashikur Rahman Shibli then struck an unbeaten 101 off 172 balls, while Taibur Rahman scored 50, as Dhaka declared their second innings at 219 for six to set Sylhet a target of 271. Sylhet reached two for one before the match ended in a draw.

At the other venue in Sylhet, Rangpur Division, resuming their second innings at 195 for six, declared at 245 for six to set Mymensingh Division a target of 373.

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Mahedi follows six-for with ton as NCL turns into run-fest

Mahfizul Islam Robin scored 68 off 108 balls, while Al Amin Jnr remained unbeaten on 55 as Mymensingh reached 189 for four before the two sides settled for a draw.

The only match in the second round to produce a result was in Cox’s Bazar, where Chattogram Division secured an innings-and-one-run victory over Barishal Division.

Chattogram had been firmly in control after Barishal ended the third day at 149 for four. Barishal lost their remaining six wickets for 144 runs on the final day to suffer their second consecutive defeat in the ongoing competition.

Rafsan Al Mahmud top-scored for Barishal with 72 off 176 balls, while Chattogram left-arm spinner Ashraful Hasan Rohan claimed five wickets for 77 runs to seal the victory.