Rajshahi earn 9-wkt victory against Dhaka Metro

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Rajshahi Division recorded a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Dhaka Metropolis team on the 4th and final day of the Walton 13th National Cricket super league at Sylhet Stadium Wednesday, reports UNB. Dhaka Metro, which scored 201 runs in the first innings, Wednesday resumed the 2nd innings with overnight 202 runs for 4 in 69 overs and all out for 274 runs in 99.5 overs, adding only 72 runs with remaining six wickets. Mehrab Hossain Jr, who was batting with 63 runs, completed his century scoring 101 runs off 253 balls featuring eight fours and two sixes while another night watch batsman Marshall Ayub (35) contributed 87-ball 43 runs with help of four fours and one six. Farhad Reza, who claimed two wickets on the 3rd day (Tuesday), finally grabbed four wickets for 69 runs, Muktar Ali also bowled superbly to grab four wickets for 39 runs while Saqlain Sajib took two wickets 86 runs. Chasing an easy target of 72 runs, Rajshahi Division with 404 runs in the first innings, opened the 2nd innings Wednesday morning and reached their ultimate goal scoring match-winner 72 runs for the loss of only one wicket in just 10.3 overs. After the departure of opener Jahurul Islam (1) for 13 runs in 2.1 overs, another opener Mizanur Rahman pairing with one down Farhad Reza guided the team towards the comfortable victory. Farhad Reza quick-fired an unbeaten 36 runs off 27 deliveries hitting seven fours one six while Mizanur Rahman added another useful not out 27 runs off 35 balls with five fours and one six. Taskin Ahmed took the lone wicket of Jahurul Islam conceding 15 runs. Muktar Ali of Rajshahi Division, who took eight wickets, four in each innings, was adjudged man of the match. Brief score: Dhaka Metropolis team first innings - 201 all out in 55.3 overs; Shamsur Rahman 53, Asif Ahmed 45, Saqlain Sajib 559 and Muktar Ali 447. 2nd innings - 274 all out in 99.5 overs (overnight 202 for 4 in 69 overs) ; Mehrab Hossain Jr 101, Mohammad Ashraful 69, Marshall Ayub batting 43, Muktar Ali 439, Farhad Reza 469, Saqlain Sajib 286. Rajshahi Division first innings - 404 for 5 in 137.5 overs (Declared); Jahurul Islam 167, Junaid Siddique 161, Sabbir Rahman 33, Arafat Sunny 386, Taskin Ahmed 148, Mohammad Ashraful 184. 2nd innings- 72 for 1 in 10.3 overs; Farhad Reza not out 36, Mizanur Rahman not out 27, Jahurul Islam 1, Taskin Ahmed 115. In the another league match between Khulna Division and Sylhet Division ended in draw on the fourth and final day, today (Wednesday) at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. Khulna Division with first innings total 301 runs, resumed the 2nd innings today (Wednesday) morning with overnight 242 for 8 and finally scored 271 runs for all in 83.5 overs . Middle order batsman Mithun Chowdhury, who was in batting with 80 runs, scored 100 runs off 160 balls hitting eight fours and one six. In reply, Sylhet Division, which declared the first innings at 251 for 9, opened the 2nd innings and scored 164 for 7 in 60 overs at stumps on the 4th and final day to settle for a draw. National colored batsman Rajin Saleh scored an unbeaten 66 runs off 167 balls featuring six fours, Golam Mabud and Enamul Haque Jr scored 30 and 22 runs respectively.