Defending champions Khulna Division have won the first round of the Bangabandhu NCL as Khulna defeated Sylhet Division by 8 wickets at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna on Thursday. It was Khulna Division’s first victory of Tier 1 in the Bangabandhu National Cricket League (NCL).
On the last day, Nurul Hasan Sohan's team won by losing 2 wickets, chasing 68 runs. Despite the resistance of Zakir Hossain, Sylhet Division was able to score 308 runs in the second innings. Earlier, Sylhet scored 134 runs in reply to Khulna's 375 runs. They batted well in the second innings after the follow-on but could not avoid defeat.
Zakir was unbeaten on 118 runs the day before. Today 22 more runs come from his bat. Although he scored a maximum of 140 runs for the team, it was not enough to save the match. His innings was arranged in 15 fours from 233 balls.
Abdul Halim is the best bowler of the second innings for Khulna. He took 4 wickets for 62 runs. Moinul Islam Sohel took 3 wickets.Zakir Hasan of Sylhet Division was selected Man of the Match for his impeccable century.
Meanwhile, Dhaka beat Rangpur by 80 runs in the first tier of the National League at BKSP ground number four. Rangpur needed 229 runs on the last day to win the match, chasing 264 runs with eight wickets in hand. In the end they were reduced to 183 runs.
