NCL Week 4: Zakir Hasan double-hundred keeps Sylhet on top
Sylhet Division retained their Tier-1 top spot after drawing with Chattogram Division, with Rangpur Division now closely behind them following their three-wicket win over Dhaka Division.
Things are even tighter in Tier-2 where only six points separate three teams. Rajshahi Division went back to the top with an innings-and-68-run win over Barishal Division while Dhaka Metropolis defeated Khulna Division by four wickets.
Zakir Hasan became the first wicketkeeper-captain to score a double-hundred in domestic first-class cricket in Bangladesh. He made 213 in Sylhet’s drawn game against Chattogram, having struck 18 fours and two sixes during his seven-and-a-half-hour stay. Zakir added 176 runs for the fifth wicket with Asadulla Al Galib.
Musfik Hasan became only the third fast bowler in Bangladesh domestic first-class history to take an eight-wicket haul. His figures of 8 for 73 helped set up Rangpur’s victory over Dhaka. Before Musfik, only Talha Jubair and Ruyel Miah had taken eight-fors.
Sohel Rana, too, helped Rangpur with his five-wicket haul, while Dhaka’s Sumon Khan also took a five-for in this game.
Best match
Rangpur’s 73 all out is the second-lowest total in Bangladesh after which a team went on to win a first-class game. Rangpur first bowled out Dhaka for 84 but themselves fell eleven runs short in the first innings.
But Musfik’s eight-wicket haul in 17.5 overs got Dhaka bowled out for 199 runs, with only Mahidul Islam making a half-century. Rangpur, however, had the experienced Suhrawadi Shuvo, who made a patient 72 as they overhauled the fourth-innings target of 211 runs in 65.3 overs.
Points to ponder
Sylhet are holding on to the lead in the Tier-1 points table, with two rounds of matches remaining. Rangpur could pose a last-minute threat to their maiden title aspirations.
In Tier-2, Rajshahi regained pole position with Barishal behind them, but the big news is giants Khulna only have two points, having been bowled out for 64, their second-lowest total in NCL history, against Dhaka Metro.
Players to watch
Musfik, the tall hit-the-deck bowler from Rangpur, is attracting a lot of attention with his style of bowling. He was not really impressive in the Under-19s and in the Dhaka Premier League last season, but has also taken17 wickets in the NCL so far, including the eight-wicket haul in this round.