Sylhet make good start to defend NCL title

The seventh and final round of the 27th National Cricket League (NCL) kicked off on Saturday across various venues, as the battle for the championship intensified, reports BSS.
Sylhet Division, the reigning champions and current table-toppers, are well- positioned to defend their title. A win would seal the deal for them, but any other result could open the door for five other teams to contest for the coveted silverware.
Dhaka and Rajshahi are the only two teams already eliminated from the championship race.
While Sylhet made a solid start in their match against Barishal, the day belonged to Dhaka opener Anisul Islam, who struck 183 not out and kept his hopes alive of becoming the second player to score a double century this season,.
Meanwhile, Sylhet's bowlers laid the foundation for securing the title after restricting Barishal for 269-9 on Day 1. Opener Iftekhar Hossain Ifti and middle-order batter Hafizur Rahman hit half- centuries to drive Barishal amid Sylhet bowlers disciplined bowling.