Rajshahi retain title

---

Hosts Rajshahi Division clinched the four-day Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 10th National Cricket League title for the second successive time despite losing to Khulna Division by 28 runs in the last league match at Rajshahi Divisional Stadium Wednesday, reports UNB.
Another title contender Barisal Division also lost their last round match to Dhaka Division by two wickets at Narayanganj Osmani Stadium in Fatullah, while the day's other match between Chittagong Division and Sylhet Division ended in a draw at the Sylhet Stadium.
On completion of the league matches, both Rajshahi and Barisal divisions secured 101 points, but Rajshahi clinched the league crown by virtue of winning more matches than Barsial Division- Rajshahi earned five victories against four by Barisal.
Khulna Division became third in the six-team league securing 90 points, Dhaka Division placed 4th with 85 points, Chittagong Division placed 5th with 73 points while Sylhet Division finished bottom of the table with 64 points.
At the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium, hosts Rajshahi Division resumed the 2nd innings Wednesday with overnight 23 for 1 in 7 overs and were finally all out for 323 in 86.5 overs to concede a 28-run defeat.
Middle order batsman cum skipper Anisur Rahman and Sabbir Rahman fought hard for the Rajshahi existence contributing 71 and 72 runs respectively, but narrowly missed the target.
Rajshahi all rounder Suhrawardy Shuvo and Khulna pacer Dollar Mahmud were jointly adjudged man of the match.
Brief score: Khulna Division 1st innings 255 for 9 (dec) and 2nd innings -- 347 for all in 105.5 overs , Nazmus Samad 23, Robiul Islam 27, Sabbir Rahman 15, KM Shakil 28, Tushar Imran 29, Raihan Anas 40, Fariduddin 57, Dollar Mahmud 65, Aslam Khan 30, extras 22, Suhrawardy Shuvo 6/124 and Sabbir Rahman 2/30.
Rajshahi Division 1st innings - 251 for all in 63.2 overs, Jahurul Islam 15, Hamidul Islam 24, Suhrawardy Shuvo 55, Khaled Masud 38, Anisur Rahman 38, Sabbir Rahman 44, extras 23, Robiul Islam 5/68 and Dollar Mahmud 3/52.
2nd innings - 323 all out in 86.5 overs (Overnight 23 for one in 7 overs); Sabbir Rahman 72, Anisur Rahman 71, Hamidul Islam 53, Delwar Hossain 35, Dollar Mahmud 4/82, Aslam Khan 3/42 and Rabiul Islam 3/81.
At Narayanganj Osmani Stadium in Fatullah, title aspirant Barisal Division finished runners-up in the four-day league conceding two-wicket defeat against Dhaka Division on the final day Wednesday.
Dhaka Division resumed the 2nd innings with overnight 14 for 3 and reached their target making 219 runs for 8 in 76.2 overs featuring a century by national cricketer Mahmudullah Riyad.
Mahmudullah Riyad played a vital role for Dhaka victory hammering an unconquered 116 off 213 balls hitting 15 boundaries and was adjudged man of the match. Tail-ender Elias Sunny also added another useful not out 37 runs off 138 deliveries with four fours.
Monwar Hossain picked up four wickets for 69 runs while Talha Jubear took two for 6.
The day's other match between Chittagong Division and Sylhet Division ended in a draw at Sylhet Stadium.
Chittagong Division, which scored 382 runs in the first innings, today resumed the 2nd innings with 26 for no loss and finally declared the innings at 185 for 7 in 69.2 overs with Arman Hossain making not out 61 runs off 98 deliveries, including six fours and two sixes.
Chasing a target of 300 runs to win, Sylhet Division opened the 2nd innings with first innings total 268 runs and scored 65 for 4 in 11 overs when bails were drawn for the final day.