Barisal in driving seat against Dhaka

Barisal Division in driving seat scoring 438 runs in the first innings against Dhaka Division on the second day of the 2nd phase of the 12th National Cricket League at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra Sunday, reports UNB. Resuming the first innings with 292 for 2 featuring a century by Iftekhar Nayeem, Barisal Division scored a huge total (438 runs) in 137.3 overs. After the dismissal of openers Nasiruddin Faruk (13) and Bikash Sharma (63) for 112 runs, Iftekhar Nayeem pairing with Shaheen Hossain contributed 196 runs in the 3rd wicket stand. Iftekhar Nayeem, younger brother of top order national batsman Shahriar Nafees, was in batting with unbeaten 135 runs on Saturday, completed his 176-ball entertaining innings of 149 runs hitting 24 fours and one six. Skipper Shaheen Hossain made the day's lone century hammering 104 runs off 196 balls featuring 13 boundaries. Mosharaf Hossain grabbed three wickets for 90 runs while Mahbubul Alam, Mohammad Sharif and Saju Dutta took two wickets each conceding 71, 71 and 97 runs respectively. In reply, Dhaka Division is struggling with 50 runs for 3 in 25 overs with Marshall Ayub and Mehdi Hasan were in batting with 12 and eight runs respectively. Earlier, Uttam Sarker (0), Abdul Mazid (14) and Anwar Hossain (16) back to the dressing room, leaving team total 32 for 3 in 13.2 overs. Towhidul Islam claimed two wickets for 14 runs while Shohag Gazi took the remaining wicket for 17 runs. In the day's other match, Sylhet Division also dominated over Rajshahi Division making 316 runs in the first innings on the 2nd day of the 2nd phase of the league at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi. Resuming the first innings with 268 for 6, Sylhet Division were all out for 316 adding only 48 runs on the 2nd day (Sunday) with night watch batsman Ezaz Ahmed (42) scoring 63 runs off 107 balls with six fours and two sixes. Besides, national colour Rajin Saleh (93), Tasamul Haque (56), Golam Mabud (35) and Nabil Samad (22) were other notable scorers for Sylhet. Tajul Islam captured four wickets for 87 runs while Farhad Hossain bagged three for 53 runs. In reply, Dhaka Division scored 212 for 7 in 70 overs when bails were drawn for the 2nd day (Sunday). Opener Avishek Mitra (60), Anisur Rahman (58), Mizanur rahman (39), Jubair Ahmed (23) and Shahzada Hossain (13) were the major contributors for Rajshahi. Nasum Ahmed bagged three wickets for 69 runs while Abu Zayed took two for 53 runs.