Rajshahi take on Dhaka today

Rajshahi Division will take on Dhaka Division in the five-day final match of the 12th National Cricket League today (Tuesday) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, reports UNB. The title-deciding match will start at 9:30 am. Earlier, the final match was scheduled to begin on May 3, but it was deferred by a week following requests from the two finalists to ensure the participation of some key players, who were then busy with GP-BCB Academy team's fixture against South Africa NCA and also with Bangladesh A team touring South Africa. On completion of the first two phases of the league, Rajshahi Division smartly booked a seat for the final, dominating the league table with 96 points from eight matches that featured six outright victories. On other hand, Dhaka Division managed a final berth securing 80 points from eight matches with two outright victories. On way to the final, Rajshahi beat Barisal by 126 runs, Khulna by 275 runs and Chittagong by nine wickets in the first phase while they beat Barisal by 116 runs, Sylhet by four wickets and Dhaka by innings and 157 runs in the four-team 2nd phase. The first phase matches between Rajshahi-Sylhet and Rajshahi-Dhaka ended in draw. Meanwhile, Dhaka Division defeated Chittagong Division by eight wickets and beat Barisal Division by 166 runs in the first phase matches. But, they failed to manage any win in the 2nd phase. Dhaka's remaining three first phase matches with Khulna, Sylhet and Rajshahi Divisions, and the two 2nd phase matches against Sylhet and Barisal Divisions ended in draw. In their last league match, Dhaka Division conceded a humiliating innings and 157 runs defeat against Rajshahi Division.