Maruf Mridha鈥檚 bowling brilliance on his first-class debut helped Dhaka Metro take a 61-run lead over Rajshahi division on the opening day of their second-round match in the National Cricket League at the BKSP-4 Ground on Saturday.
Opting to field first, Metro pacers Maruf (6-22) and Anisul Islam (3-10) shared nine wickets between them to skittle Rajshahi for 77 in 28.2 overs.
Mohor Sheikh scored 19, while Sabbir Hosan and SM Meherob Hasan each contributed 13 runs for Rajshahi. They were the only batters to reach double digits.
In reply, Metro reached 138-5 at stumps, with Shamsur Rahman Shuvo unbeaten on 37 and wicket-keeper batter Gazi Tahjibul Islam on 12.
Aminul Islam Biplob and Marshall Ayub played brief innings of 32 and 22 runs, respectively, for Metro.
Naim Sheikh, who missed the first match due to his participation in the emerging Asia Cup tournament, failed to make an impact, as he fell for 12 runs off Sabbir, who finished with 2-23.
In another match at the Sylhet Academy Ground, the Sylhet division chose to bowl first and dismissed Chattogram for 198 in 45.2 overs.
However, they found themselves in a precarious position at the end of the first day, finishing on 114-5 still trailing by 84 runs.
Nasum Ahmed and Asadulla Al Galib were batting on 21 and 17 runs, respectively, at the end of the day鈥檚 play.聽
The openers failed to get the desired start; both parted off early as the batting line crumbled to 85-5 under disciplined bowling by Chattogram bowlers.
Earlier, Yasir Ali鈥檚 73 and small contributions from Parvez Hossain Emon (34) and Sazzadul Hoque Ripon (33) powered Chattogram to post a decent total.
For Sylhet, Tofael Ahmed and Rejaur Rahman Raja each took three each, while Abu Jayed Rahi picked up two wickets.
The other two matches of the second round were abandoned due to wet outfield without a ball being bowled.
