Khulna, Barisal win matches in 2nd phase of One-Day NCL

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Khulna and Barisal Divisions won their respective matches in the 2nd phase of the 12th One Day National Cricket League in the city Monday, reports UNB.
Khulna Division earned a four-wicket victory over Dhaka Division at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) while Barisal Division defeated Rajshahi Division by eight runs at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium (DCS).
Khulna vs Dhaka
Batting first after winning the toss, Dhaka Division, riding on national color Mohammad Ashraful unbeaten captaincy ton, scored a challenging total of 272 runs in 50 overs for the loss of six wickets.
Ashraful hammered 111 runs off 103 balls with 12 fours while opener Uttam Sarkar made 66 runs off 84 balls with nine fours.
Tail-ender Mohammad Sharif smashed 45 runs off 27 balls with five fours and a six while another opener Shamsur Rahman added 17 runs off 40 balls with a four.
National all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and Nizamuddin Ripon captured two wickets each conceding 33 and 39 runs respectively while Biswanath Halder bagged one wicket.
In reply, opener Imrul Kayes's brilliant century led Khulna Division to reach easily to their destination of 273 in 49.2 overs for the loss of six wickets.
Kayes scored 108 runs off 122 balls with 10 fours and a six while one down Mohammad Mithun made 59 runs off 76 balls cracking three fours and three sixes.
Apart from Kayes' ton, two down Ziaur Rahman hit an unbeaten 42 runs off 41 balls with a four and three sixes and another opener Nazmus Sadat made 19 runs off 22 balls with two fours.
Noor Hossain grabbed three wickets for 63 runs while Mohammad Sharif and Elias Sunny took one wicket each.
Mohammad Ashraful of Dhaka and Imrul Kayes of Khulna were jointly adjudged the player of the match.
Barisal vs Rajshahi
Ridding on Fazle Rabbi's superb ton, Barisal Division scored 272 for 3 in stipulated 50 overs.
The two openers gave Barisal Division to a solid start contributing 172 runs after Barisal were asked to bat first.
Rabbi, who was adjudged the player of the match for his superb knock, smashed 148 runs off 147 balls with 16 fours and two sixes while his partner Nasiruddin Faruk made 68 runs off 106 balls with six fours and two sixes.
National color Shahriar Nafees scored 34 runs off 31 balls with two fours and a six while middle order Asif Ahmed cracked 16 runs off 13 with one six.
Suharawardy Shuvo scalped two wickets for 49 runs while Naeem Islam took one for 69.
In reply, Rajshahi Division were restricted at 264 runs in 48.2 overs for the loss of all wickets.
National wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim contributed 114 runs off 120 balls with five fours and a six while tail-ender Shuvo made a quick fire 32 runs off 25 balls with one four and two sixes.
Beside Naeem Islam (32), Junaed Siddique (30), Nasir Hossan (19) and Farhad Reza (15) were the other notable scorers for Rajshahi Division.
Monir Hossain and Shohag Gazi grabbed three wickets each for 48 and 53 runs respectively.
In the 2nd round matches on Wednesday, Dhaka Division will play Rajshahi Division at SBNS while Barisal Division meets Khulna Division at DCS.
In the 3rd round matches on Friday, Dhaka Division will face Barisal Division at SBNS while Rajshahi Division will play Khulna Division at DCS.
On completion of the four-team 2nd phase, two top teams will play the final on November 14 at SBNS.