Dhaka Metro trail by 76 runs against Rangpur

League leaders Dhaka Metropolis team trailed by 76 runs against newcomers Rangpur Division on the 2nd day of the four-day 6th round match of Walton 13th National Cricket League at the Khan Saheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah Tuesday, reports UNB. Rangpur Division, which resumed their first innings on Tuesday with overnight 304 for 5, were all out for 254 runs in 104.5 overs adding only 50 runs in the remaining five wickets from another 14.5 overs. Night watch batsman Ariful Haque (41) made a half century scoring 51 runs off 84 balls with five fours and a six while another night watch batsman Tanvir Haider (48) added only one run to score 49 off 129 balls that featured five boundaries. Taskin Ahmed, who grabbed two wickets on the first day, finished with four wickets for 66 runs. In reply, Dhaka Metropolis team opened the first innings and scored 278 for 4 in 73 overs at stumps on the 2nd day (Tuesday) to trail by 76 runs. After the departure of Pakistani opener Shahbaz Butt at duck leaving team total at two runs in 2.1 overs, former national skipper Mohammad Ashraful and one down Asif Ahmed were involved in a tremendous partnership of 225 runs in the 2nd wicket to carry the team score to 227 runs. Asif Ahmed hammered an excellent ton scoring 152 runs off 156 balls with 22 fours and a six while opening batsman cum Dhaka Metro captain Mohammad Ashraful made a patient 71 runs off 198 balls with five fours. Shuvashish Roy and AR Rahman Rony took two wickets each for 41 and 74 runs respectively. At the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong, Barisal Division resumed the first innings with overnight 250 for 6 against Sylhet Division on the 2nd day (Tuesday) and were all out for 264 runs in 98 overs, adding only 14 runs in eight overs with four remaining wickets. Veteran pacer Taposh Baishya and Abu Zahed claimed five wickets for 50 and 71 runs respectively. In reply, Sylhet Division opened the first innings and scored 208 runs for 6 in 80 overs to trail by 56 runs. After the dismissal of four top order batsmen - Sayem Alam (6), Rumman Ahmed (4), Saler Ahmed (21) and Nadif Chowdhury (15) - for 61 runs in 26.1 overs, Rajin Saleh pairing with Golam Rahman added a polished 128 runs in the 5th wicket stand. Lower order Golam Rahman contributed the team highest 77 runs off 126 balls with eight four and two sixes while former national cricketer Rajin Saleh was batting with 61 runs off 209 balls with five fours and a six. National colour new ball bowler Syed Rasel grabbed three wickets for 21 runs while Pakistani Iftekhar Nayeem, who earlier hammered 132 runs, also displayed his brilliance with the ball taking two wickets for 18 runs. At Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi, replying to Chittagong Division's first innings total 200 runs, Khulna Division came to bat with overnight 58 for 3 and declared the first innings for 233 for 9 in 72.1 overs with 33-run lead in the first innings. Former national cricketer Tushar Imran, who resumed batting with 18 runs, hammered 95 runs off 175 balls with 12 fours while another night watch batsman Mosaddek Iftekhar (15) contributed 136-ball 74 runs with eight boundaries. Abdullah Al Mamun bowled superbly to claim five Khulna wickets for 35 runs, apart from Kazi Kamrul's two wickets. In reply, Chittagong Division, which scored 200 runs in the 1st innings, opened the 2nd innings and scored 100 for 6 in 30 overs with skipper Nazimuddin and Kazi Kamrul batting with 15 and 9 runs respectively. Al Amin Hossain grabbed four wickets for 27 runs in his five-over spell. At Barisal Divisional Stadium, replying to Dhaka Division's 131 for all, Rajshahi Division resumed the first innings with overnight 39 for 3 and were all out for 218 runs in 71 overs to take a 87-run first innings lead on the 2nd day of the four-day affairs Tuesday. Middle order Hamidul Islam scored a half century with 57 runs off 129 balls that featured seven fours while lower order Sanjamul Islam scored not out 40 off 81 balls with two fours. Pacer Mahbubul Alam scalped five wickets for 49 runs while spinner Mosharraf Hossain took four wickets for 64 runs. In reply, Dhaka Division opened the 2nd innings and scored 112 runs for 7 in 36 overs at stumps on the 2nd day with national coloured Hannan Sarker making the team highest 72 runs off 83 balls that featured 12 fours. Delwar Hossain and Sanjamul Islam took two wickets each for 13 and 21 runs respectively.