Ariful Haque put a stellar all-round performance to guide Rangpur to a 101-run victory over Rajshahi Division in their fourth round game of the National Cricket League at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi on Tuesday.
Ariful, who hit a century in Rangpur鈥檚 first innings, claimed 3-16 as Rajshahi were bowled out for 161, chasing the victory target of 263. Robiul Hoque (2-35) and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain (2-33) also claimed two wickets apiece.
The victory put Rangpur in the second position with five points from four matches, just behind Sylhet鈥檚 six points.
Rajshahi started the day in a precarious position of 62-6 in their chase of 263 runs on Day 4.
Overnight batter Golam Kibria was the only batter to show some resistance, scoring 56 off 65 featuring 10 boundaries and a six while the rest of the batting lineup struggled and fell cheaply.
At the Cox鈥檚 Bazar Academy Ground, Khulna batters made a remarkable comeback in their second innings to avoid an innings defeat against Sylhet after being forced to follow on.聽
In response to Sylhet鈥檚 mammoth 496-7d, Khulna were dismissed for 273 runs in the first innings.
However, a resilient batting display led by Mohammad Mithun and three half-centuries from the top order propelled them to 296-3, as both sides settled for a draw, with Sylhet retaining its top spot with six points.
Mithun struck an impressive 102 runs off 108 balls, while Imrul Kayes contributed a solid 71 off 162 deliveries while Anamul Haque Bijoy and Nurul Hossain Sohan played 50-plus knocks.
At the Sylhet Academy Ground, Dhaka Division thwarted Dhaka Metro鈥檚 bid for victory as the match concluded in a draw, with Metro finishing at 148-8 in their pursuit of 256 runs before the bails were drawn.聽
Despite having opportunities to seize the match, Metro eventually failed to secure the last two wickets.
Earlier in the day, Metro managed to add only 77 runs to their overnight total, ending with 267, bolstered by contributions from Abu Hider Rony (47) and Tahjibul Isam (44).聽
In their chase, Dhaka started well but suffered a middle-order collapse that saw wickets tumble in quick succession.聽
Shuvagata Hom faced 57 balls to score 19 runs, toiling the opposition bowlers. Ashikur Rahman Shibli (34) and Taibur Rahman (30) also contributed crucial runs.
Dhaka scored 315 in reply to Metro鈥檚 304, taking a narrow 11-run lead in their first innings.