Forhad Reza's four-wicket haul and a serious batting effort from the top order have put Rajshahi Division on the cusp of a record-equalling sixth National Cricket League title after the third day of the sixth and final round yesterday.

Soumya Sarkar has continued his good vain of form in the National Cricket League, striking 83 against Rangpur Division in a Tier 1 match today.

When Ariful Haque was the last batsman to be dismissed, top-edging Wellington Masakadza to wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva, he and the rest of the Bangladesh team were probably unaware that there were still a lot of spectators queuing up outside the ground to watch the first Test ever to take place at the Sylhet International Stadium.

Test cricket is so named because it tests temperament, adaptability, patience and above all, the ability to push the limits of discipline as an individual as well as a team.

The ongoing home series against Zimbabwe, Test cricket's lowest-ranked side, was seen as the perfect platform for Bangladesh to test the depth of the team in the longest format of the game as they were playing without two of their most experienced cricketers in Test and T20I Shakib Al Hasan and opener Tamim Iqbal.

The Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah hosted its inaugural Test between

Tier-1 leaders Rajshahi Division suffered a minor blow to their bid to become National Cricket League champions after being bowled out for 160 by Barishal Division on the second day of the sixth and final round yesterday.

They came to Bangladesh without a win in Test cricket in more than five years and without an away Test win in 17 years, but Zimbabwe ensured yesterday that they will leave the country with at least a share of the two-match series.

Despite his outstanding entry into the international cricket when he took five wickets across two innings of his debut Test, Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam has never been feted as a superstar.

The Bangladesh women's cricket team tuned up well in the first official warm-up game against their Irish counterparts ahead of the ICC Women's World Twenty20, which will get underway from November 9 in Guyana. Salma Khatun's side registered a comfortable six-wicket victory over Ireland at the Providence Stadium in Guyana in a day-night match on Sunday.

Rajshahi Division's bid for a record-equalling sixth National Cricket League title was given an immense boost by 21-year-old pacer Mohor Sheikh's maiden five-wicket haul that helped bundle out Barishal Division for 97 on the first day of the sixth and final round yesterday.

Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam captured 5 wickets for 62 runs to bundle Zimbabwe out for 181 runs and lead hosts' fightback

Since being appointed as Bangladesh head coach back in June, Steve Rhodes went through arguably his toughest press conference after the third day's play at the Sylhet International Stadium yesterday.

Bangladesh’s Test and T20 captain Shakib Al Hasan, currently recuperating from an injury, became Uber’s first ever brand ambassador from Bangladesh. Uber had launched its on-demand car ride services in the perennially jammed Dhaka back in 2016 and Shakib had been the first person from Bangladesh to take an Uber ride.

For the second time in the Sylhet Test, an intruder was able to escape the attention of security personals to make their way into the field of play and it has raised questions about the security measures that have been put in place at the Sylhet Cricket Stadium to ensure safety of the players. On the first day of the Test match, an young fan had entered the pitch and hugged Mushfiqur Rahim. Today an adolescent boy entered the pitch and while the first incident was seen lightly, the fact that it has happened again has put into contention whether the measures are inadequate.

Zimbabwe are 165 for the loss of six wickets at Tea on day 3 of the first Test match against Bangladesh at Sylhet Crikcet Stadium. Welligton Masakadza and Regis Chakabva managed to get through to Tea after Taijul picked up the wicket of Sikandar Raza. 74 runs were added to the scoreboard in the second session as Zimbabwe lead by 304 runs in a wicket which is beginning provide more help to spinners as the match progresses.

Bangladesh may not have been able to become a consistent side in Test cricket, but their batsman have certainly remained consistent in a negative way by not reaching the 200-run mark in their last seven innings.

The sixth and final round of the National Cricket League will get underway today with Rajshahi Division in pole position to grab the title while Dhaka Division will be hoping to hold on to their Tier-2 top spot over the next four days and be promoted to the top tier next season.

Zimbabwe took a crucial 139-run first innings lead as hosts Bangladesh were bowled out for 143. Tendai Chatara claimed three wickets

Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam helped the side overcome the absence of lead spinner Shakib Al Hasan and bagged his fourth