Lowly Barisal inflict 1st defeat on league leader Rajshahi

---

Lowy Barisal Division inflicted the first defeat on league leaders Rajshahi Division in the 7th round match of the Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 9th One-Day National Cricket League beating them by 18 runs in a low scoring match at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra Sunday, reports UNB.
In the day's other two 7th round matches, holders Dhaka Division beat Sylhet Division by 51 runs at the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium in Fatullah while Khulna Division outplayed Chittagong Division by nine wickets at the Bir Shrestho Shaheed Ruhul Amin Stadium (BSSRAS) in Chittagong.
Despite the day's defeat, Rajshahi Division kept their top slot securing 12 points, followed by Khulna and Dhaka divisions with eight points each while Barisal Division were in the third place with six points. Chittagong and Sylhet divisions remained at the bottom of the one-day league table collecting four points each.
Sent in to bat first at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra, Barisal Division were dismissed for 188 runs in 49.4 overs. Middle order Abul Bashar contributed team highest 65 runs off 108 balls with one four and a six to be adjudged man of the match.
In reply, Rajshahi Division, which dominates both the four-day and one-day national leagues, were bundled out for 170 in 45.5 overs although they made a good start scoring 105 runs for 3 in 19.1 overs, and 146 for 5 in 31.4 overs.
Rajshahi were forced to concede the first defeat in the league as they lost the last five wickets for just 24 runs in 14.1 overs.
At the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium, Dhaka Division batted first after winning the toss to score 225 runs for all in 49.2 overs and later they bundled out Sylhet Division for 174 runs in 41.5 overs to earn their 4th win in the league. Mehrab Hossain Opee and middle order Nadif Chowdhury made half centuries, both scoring identical 51 runs. Mehrab's 83-ball 51 runs featured five boundaries while Nadif's 74-ball unbeaten 51 included two fours and a six.
Pacer Rashidur Rahman was the most successful among the Sylhet bowlers who grabbed three wickets for 26 runs in 10 overs with five maidens while national all rounder Alok Kapali took two wickets for 33 runs.
In reply, Sylhet Division were all out for 174 in 41.5 overs against devastating bowling by national pacer Mohammad Sharif, who claimed five wickets for 23 runs in 7.5 overs with a maiden.
Among the Sylhet batsman, middle order Sharifullah scored 52 runs off 71 balls with three fours and a six, Ejaz Ahmed also batted well to score 44 runs off 36 balls with two fours and two sixes while Alok Kapali made 37 off 38 balls with seven fours.
At the BSSRAS in Chittagong, coin-favoured hosts Chittagong Division opened the innings first and were all out for 188 in 46.1 overs.
One down Nazimuddin, who made century in the last four-day match, scored quick fire 40 runs off 30 balls with six fours and two sixes while opener Mahbubul Karim also contributed 40 runs off 46 balls with seven fours.
In reply, Khulna Division made a flying start scoring 169 runs in the opening stand between Nazmus Sadat and Mustafizur Rahman, and faced no trouble to reach their target scoring 190 runs in 35.1 overs for the loss of one wicket.
Nazmus Sadat hammered an unconquered 92 runs off 97 balls with 12 fours while Mustafizur Rahman scored 78 runs off 104 balls with 14 fours. Imrul Kayes scored run-a-ball 10 with two fours while another 10 runs came from extras.