Shanto, Habibur lead Rajshahi to facile win

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Habibur Rahman Sohan struck half-centuries as Rajshahi Division outclassed Khulna by eight wickets in their second NCL T20 match at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, reports BSS.
The tournament restarted on Friday after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) postponed it following an inclement weather interrupted the proceedings at Bogura and Rajshahi venues.
According to the revised schedule, from now on, all of the matches will take place at Sylhet.
Electing to bat first, Khulna posted a challenging 171-7 with Soumya Sarkar and Aif Hossain hitting half-centuries.
But apart from the duo, no one could get going against the disciplined Rajshahi attack.
Soumya hammered 34 ball-63 with six fours and four sixes. Afif, however, was little bit slow as he had to play the anchor role after the wickets tumbling around him following the dismissal of Soumya.
Afif made 50 off 45 with three fours and as many sixes.
But their effort was trumped by Shanto and Haibubur who made the chase cake-walk by sharing 148 runs in just 12.4 overs in their opening stand.
Habibur was the wrecker-in-chief, smashing a marauding 94 off 45 with 10 fours and six sixes. He, however, missed out a well-deserved ton by six runs after Robiul Haque dismissed him.
Shanto was not out on 65 off 69 after clattering eight fours and two sixes.
Meanwhile, riding on the half-centuries of Mosadddek Hossain Saikat and Ariful Islam, Dhaka Division whacked Rangpur past by 71 runs in their second match of the NCL T20 tournament at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Saikat was unbeaten on 32 ball-64 after slamming five fours and four sixes while Ariful was not out on 59, hitting six fours and one six in his 49-ball-knock.
They added 104 runs off just 52 deliveries in an undefeated fourth wicket stand, guiding the side to 171-3.
Rangpur, the defending champions was no match for Dhaka indeed as they were wrapped up for 100-9 in 17.1 overs, with their last batter Mukidul Islam Mugdho unable to bat.
Naeem Islam made an unbeaten 26 off 37 to be the top-scorer for the side while Abu Hasim scored 25.
Taibur Rahman wrecked havoc on Rangpur with 3-22 in four overs and was complemented by Nazmul Islam Apu and Ripon Mondol who took two wickets apiece.