Sofor Ali claimed his maiden first-class five-wicket haul as Sylhet bowled out Rajshahi for 226 runs on the opening day of their National Cricket League seventh and final round match at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Saturday.
Right-arm medium pacer Sofor, playing in his first match of the season, claimed 5-69 while fellow pacer Tofael Ahmed took 4-40.
Despite their bowling brilliance, Sylhet were struggling at 49-2, trailing by 177 runs at stumps with Pinak Ghosh (19) and captain Amite Hasan (11) at the crease. Shafiqul Islam took 2-10 for Rajshahi.聽
Earlier in the day, Sabbir Hossain played a valiant 116-run innings, featuring 11 boundaries and three sixes to propel Rajshahi to reach a decent total, with Habibur Rahman also contributing 57 runs.聽
At the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra, half-centuries from Sohag Gazi (78) and Fazle Mahmud Rabbi (64) saw Barishal post 289 runs in their first innings against Dhaka, who currently sit in second place of the table with 25 points.
Salauddin Sakil (2-46), Sumon Khan (2-87), and Anamul Haque (2-33) each scalped two wickets for Dhaka after opting to bowl first.
Dhaka Metro reached 161-3 in response to Chattogram鈥檚 first innings total of 160 at the end of the day at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi.
Openers Naim Sheikh (42) and Anisul Islam (45) both failed to reach fifties while Aich Molla was batting on 35 off 54 balls with Rakibul Hasan (1).
Earlier, left-arm spinner Rakibul (4-62) and Arif Ahmed (4-23) each grabbed four-for to dismantle Chattogram鈥檚 batting line-up.
Rain spoilt the opening day of the match between Khulna Division and Rangpur, as only 25 overs of play were possible at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna.聽
Batting first, Khulna made 79-2 with opener Anamul Haque Bijoy scoring 50 off 72 runs and remained unbeaten with Mohammad Mithun (5) at the crease.
Mukidul Islam Mugdho and Ariful Haque each took a wicket for Rangpur.