Breaking News:

Rajshahi win National Cricket League title 4th time in a row

. UNB, Dhaka
All-round performance by Farhad Hossain guided Rajshahi Division to clinch the National Cricket League crown for the 4th time in a row with a nine-wicket win over Khulna Division on the 3rd day of the five-day final at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday.
Farhad Hossain, who scored 77 runs in the first innings and contributed not out 32 in the 2nd innings in addition to his six-wicket haul in two innings, was adjudged the man of the final.
Khulna Division, which scored 212 runs in the first innings, resumed the 2nd innings today (Saturday) with overnight 135 for 5 and were dismissed cheaply for 172 runs in 54 overs giving an easy winning target of 127 runs for holders Rajshahi Division in two and half days.
Khulna Division lost the remaining five wickets adding only 47 runs in 15 overs as the last three wickets fell within the span of only one run in two overs.
Among the Khulna batsmen, only night watch Anamul Haque (36) played confidently to score the only half century in the 2nd innings contributing not out 58 runs off 97 balls with four boundaries.
Lower order Dollar Mahmud scored 19, night watch batsman Tapash Ghosh 7 and Abdur Razzak 3 runs for Khulna, while Murad Khan and Al Amin Hossain returned to the dressing room for duck.
New ball bowler Farhad Hossain, who grabbed three wickets in the first innings, also captured three wickets in the 2nd innings to make a six-wicket haul in the match.
Spinner Sanjamul Islam also claimed three wickets for 47 runs while another spinner Saqlain Sajib took two wickets for 38 runs.
Chasing an easy target of 127 runs, Rajshahi Division (1st innings total 258 runs) opened the 2nd innings this (Saturday) morning and easily reached their ultimate goal scoring 129 runs for the loss of one wicket in 22 overs.
After the departure of opener Farhad Reza (12) at 44 runs in 9.2 overs, another opener Mizanur Rahman pairing with man of the final Farhad Hossain guided the team towards victory scoring 85 runs in the 2nd wicket stand.
Mizanur Rahman hammered an unconquered 75-ball 80 runs with 14 fours and a six while Farhad Hossain contributed not out 32 off 39 balls with six fours.
National spinner Abdur Razzak, who grabbed four wickets in the first innings, today took the lone wicket of Farhad Reza giving away 24 runs in seven overs.
Brief score: Khulna Division Ist innings- 212 all out in 53.3 overs; Mithun Ali 83, Tushar Imran 50, Farhad Hossain 3/14, Saqlain Sajib 3/48, Farhad Reza 2/33.
2nd innings- 172 all out in 54 overs (overnight 135 for 5 in 39 overs); Anamul Haque 58, Imrul Kayes 47, Farhad Hossain 3/33, Sanjamul Islam 3/47, Saqlain Sajib 2/38.
Rajshahi Division- 1st innings - 258 all out in 86.2 overs; Junaid Siddique 95, Farhad Hossain 77, Abdur Razzak 4/59, Tushar Imran 2/25, Dollar Mahmud 2/34 and Al Amin Hossain 2/77.
2nd innings - 129 for 1 in 22 overs; Mizaur Rahman not out 80, Farhad Hossain not out 32, Farhad Reza 12, Abdur Razzak 1/ 24.