Rajshahi take 154-run lead over Dhaka Metro

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Two scintillating centuries by Jahurul Islam and Junaid Siddique guided Rajshahi Division to take a 154-run first innings lead scoring 355 for 2 in 119 overs against Dhaka Metropolis team on the 2nd day of the four-day Walton 13th National Cricket super league at the Sylhet Stadium Monday, reports UNB. Replying to Dhaka Metropolis first innings total 201 runs, Rajshahi Division resumed the first innings with overnight 94 for 1 and piled up a huge 355 runs for the loss of only two wickets in 119 overs. After the dismissal of opener Farhad Reza (6) for just seven runs on Sunday, the two national coloured top order batsmen Jahurul Islam and Junaid Siddique hammered 345 runs in the 2nd wickets stand. National coloured opener Jahurul Islam, who was in batting with 47 runs, was still in batting with 167 runs playing 381 balls with the help of 19 fours and three sixes while another night watch batsman Junaid Siddique (35) contributed 161 runs off 322 balls hitting 18 fours and one six before he was caught & bowled by Arafat Sunny. Arafat Sunny took the prized wicket of Junaid Sddique giving away 62 runs while Taskin Ahmed claimed another wicket of Farhad Reza conceding 36 runs. Brief score : Dhaka Metropolis team first innings - 201 all out in 55.3 overs; Shamsur Rahman 53, Asif Ahmed 45, Mehrab Hossain Jr 18, Arafat Salahuddin not out 16, Saqlain Sajib 559 and Muktar Ali 447. Rajshahi Division first innings - 355 for 2 in 119 overs (overnight 94 for 1 in 29 overs); Jahurul Islam batting 167, Junaid Siddique 161, Farhad Reza 6, Hamidul Islam 0, Taskin Ahmed 136. Arafat Sunny 162. In the day's another league match, Sylhet Division was trailing by 57 runs against league leader Khulna Division scoring 244 runs 8 in 78 overs on the 2nd day of the four-day 2nd phase match at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong Monday. Earlier, Khulna Division resumed the first innings with 296 for 8 and declared the innings within seven balls scoring 301 runs for 9 in 76.1 overs losing the wicket of century maker Mohammad Mithun. Mohammad Mithun, who was in batting with 105 runs, competed his innings at 109 runs off 106 deliveries including five fours and six sixes. National coloured spinner Enamul Haque Jr grabbed two wickets for 76 runs in addition to two wickets haul by Alok Kapali, Taposh Baishya and Nabil Samad. Replying to Khulna Division's first innings total 301 runs, Sylhet Division opened the first innings and scored 244 for 8 in 78 overs at stumps on day -2 (Monday) featuring two half centuries by Rajin Saleh and Golam Mabud. National coloured top order batsman Rajin Saleh contributed 124-ball 59 runs hittimng eight boundaries while lower order Golam Mabud remained in batting with 56 runs off 103-ball including six fours and one six. Besides, all rounder Alok Kapali (41), Sayem Alam (27), Ejaz Ahmed (14) , Enamul Haque Jr (11) and Taposh Baishya (10) were the other notable contributors for Sylhet. Pacer Dollar Mahmud grabbed three wickets for 52 runs, Al Amin Hossain and Murad Khan took two wickets each conceding 38 and 45 runs respectively. Brief score : Khulna Division first innings- 301 for 9 (Declared), (0vernight 296 for 8 in 75 overs); Mithun Chowdhury 109, Tushar Imran 62, Dollar Mahmud 40, Nazmus Sadat 24, Abdur Razzak 24, Anamul Haque 22, Alok Kapali 2 46, Taposh Baishya 248 and Nabil Samad 263, Enamul Haque Jr 276. Sylhet Division first innings- 244 for 8 in 78 overs; Rajin Saleh 59, Golam Mabud 56, Alok Kapali (41), Sayem Alam (27), Dollar Mahmud 3 52 runs, Al Amin Hossain 2 38 and Murad Khan 245 runs.