Naeem ton leads Rajshahi Div

Riding on a century by Naeem Islam, holders Rajshahi Division took a 34-run first innings lead over Dhaka Division scoring 314 runs on the 3rd day of the five-day 12th National Cricket League final at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city Thursday, reports UNB. Replying to Dhaka Division's first innings modest total 280 runs, Rajshahi Division resumed the first innings with 177 for 4 and scored 314 runs for all featuring brilliant batting by their two night-watch batsmen. National all rounder Naeem Islam, who was in batting with 42 runs, hammered a century scoring a polished innings of 112 runs off 281 deliveries with 15 hits to the fence. He completed the ton playing 241 balls with the help of 14 boundaries. Wicket-keeper cum another night watch batsman Dhiman Ghosh (66) contributed the team 2nd highest 75 runs playing 108 balls with the help of eleven boundaries. Opener Junaed Siddique (28), skipper Khaled Mashud (17), Farhad Reza (15) and national coloured Mushfiqur Rahim (12) were other notable batsmen for Rajshahi. Pacer Shahadat Hossain was the most successful among Dhaka bowler grabbing five wickets for 82 runs while skipper Mohammad Sharif took three wickets for 62 runs. Elias Sunny and Mosharaf Hossain took one wicket apiece. In reply, Dhaka Division opened the 2nd innings in the afternoon and scored 97 for 3 in 34 overs to take an overall 63 runs lead over Rajshahi at the end of the 3rd day (Thursday). After the departure of top three batsmen-opener Rony Talukder (1), opener Shamsur Rahman (28) and Mohammad Ashraful (0)--for 74 runs in 23.3 overs, number four batsman Mehrab Hossain and national all rounder Mahmudullah Riyad were in batting with 32 and 9 runs respectively.