Dhaka Metro and Rangpur Division won their respective first-round matches of the ongoing National Cricket League, while the other two matches concluded in draws on Tuesday.聽
Right-arm spinner Ashraful Islam Siam was instrumental in Metro鈥檚 impressive eight-wicket win against Barishal at the Sylhet Academy Ground, taking 3-59 in the second innings after claiming a five-wicket haul in the first.聽
Metro declared at 408-5 in the first innings, powered by centuries from Marshal Ayub (127) and Aich Mollah (122).聽
In response, Barishal were bowled out for just 219 and enforced follow-on, however, they managed 251 in the second innings, to set a 63-run target.
Captain Marshal (14) and Shamsur Rahman Shuvo (15) then guided their team to a comfortable victory.
Rangpur pulled out a stunning win against Chattogram by an innings and 81 runs on the final day at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra.
Khalid Hasan (60) and Mim Mosaddeak (55) struck half-centuries, which saw Rangpur declare their innings on 273-9.聽
In reply, Chattogram were all out for 103 and 83 after made to follow-on.
Skipper Abdullah Al Mamun grabbed three wickets, along with double strikes from Mukidul Mugdho and Mohammad Rizwan, to rattle down Chattogram.
In Sylhet, the high-scoring encounter between Rajshahi and Khulna ended in a draw as Ziaur Rahman and Jibon defied the Rajshahi鈥檚 bowling by facing 173 balls combined to survive the last session.
Set a target of 516 runs, Soumya Sarkar and Amit Majumder forged an opening partnership of 136 runs, which gave hopes of an unlikely win.聽
But their innings took a swift turn with the dismissal of Soumya, who failed to convert his overnight score into a hundred, getting perished on 89 runs.
Following that, Rajshahi bowlers continued to take wickets while Amit scored 87 off 257 balls, and other notable contributions by Md Mithun (30), Anamul Bijoy (20), and Ziaur (23) helped them to reach 311-7.聽
Earlier, after dismissing Khulna for 194, Rajshahi took a massive 232-run first-innings lead, then declared their innings at 283-6.
Resuming the day on 52-0, Sylhet had a safe approach at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna, showing no intent to force a result against Dhaka.
They batted throughout the day, finishing on 257-8, bolstered by three half-centuries from Pinak Ghosh (62), Amite Hasan (61), and Asadulla Al Galib (50).
Left-arm orthodox Nazmul Islam Apu was the standout performer for Dhaka, taking 4-88.
Earlier, Mahidul Islam Ankon smashed 118 as defending champions Dhaka scored 224 in response to Sylhet鈥檚 146 in the first innings.
Meanwhile, the game between Dhaka and Sylhet Division at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna ended in an expected draw.
