Walton 20th Nat’l Cricket League kicks off

Sports Correspondent: The Walton 20th National Cricket League (NCL), country’s prestigious longer version cricket league, began today (Monday, October 1, 2018) at four separate venues across the country where eight teams are competing on home and away basis.

Earlier in the morning, an inauguration ceremony of the 39-day cricket battle was held at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah. Executive Director of Walton SM Zahid Hasan, Operative Director Shahajada Selim, Senior Deputy Director Milton Ahmed, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Chief Selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu and Member Secretary Gazi Rakib Haider Pavel were among others present on the occasion.

Among the eight teams, Khulna Division, Rangpur Division, Barishal Division and Rajshahi Division are competing in Tier-1 while Dhaka Metro, Dhaka Division, Chattogram Division and Sylhet Division are competing in Tier-2.

In Tier-1, Khulna Division have taken on Rajshahi Division at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium while Rangpur Division met Barishal Division at Shaheed Chandu Stadium.

In Tire-2, Dhaka Division have taken on Chattogram Division at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium while Sylhet Division are playing against Dhaka Metro at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Tier 1, Khulna Division vs Rajshahi Division:

Khulna won toss and chose to bat first. Their first innings folded for only 210 runs in 52.3 overs. Tushar Imran hit a century and scored 104 while his teammates failed miserably. Rajshahi pacer Shafiul Islam bagged 5 wickets for 43 while Delwar Hossain and Sanjamul Islam took 2 wickets each.

In response, Rajshahi Division ended the day scoring 122 runs for 1 wicket in 29 overs. Opener Mizanur Rahman is unbeaten on 74 while his partner Nazmul Hossain Shanto scored 46.

Brief Score:

Khulna Division 210/10 (52.3 overs), Tushar Imran 104; Shafiul Islam 12-43-5, Delwar Hossain 13-33-2, Sanjamul Islam 5.3-25-2.

Rajshahi Division 122/1 (29 overs), Mizanur Rahman 74, Nazmul Shanto 46; Afif Hossain 1-5-1.

Tier 1, Rangpur Division vs Barishal Division:

Barishal Division won toss and elected to bowl first. However, their bowlers failed to put pressure on the batsmen of their opponents which let Rangpur to finish the day scoring 300 runs for 5 wickets off 90 overs. Ariful Haque, who hit 12 fours and 1 six, is unbeaten on 117 runs. Naeem Islam scored 92 while Jahid Jabed added 62 runs more.

Brief Score:

Rangpur Division 300/5 (90 overs). Ariful Haque 117*, Naeem Islam 92, Jahid Jabed 62; Shohag Gazi 26-88-2.

Tier 2, Dhaka Division vs Chattogram Division:

Chattogram Division won toss and elected to field first. Their bowlers did excellent and Dhaka Division were all out in 81 overs scoring 238 runs. Taibur Rahman scored 63 while Rony Talukdar added 59 more. Jubayer Hossain Likhon took 5 wickets for 61 while Nayeem Hasan 3 and Hasan Mahmud took the rest of the 2.

In response, Chattogram Division lost two early wickets to score 25 off 7 overs at stumps. Dhaka Division pacer Shahadat Hossain bagged the wickets for 18.

Brief Score:

Dhaka Division, 238/10 (81 overs); Taibur Rahman 63, Rony Talukdar 59, Saif Hassan 34; Jubayer Hossain Likhon 16-61-5, Nayeem Hasan 30-74-3, Hasan Mahmud 12-36-2.

Chattogram Division, 25/2 (7 overs); Sadikur Rahman 23*; Shahadt Hossain 4-18-2.

Tier 2, Dhaka Metro vs Sylhet Division:

Winning toss, Sylhet Division chose to bowl first which they would regret for. Dhaka Metro finished the day scoring 332 runs for 4 wickets as their opener Sadman Islam hit a splendid century and scored 157 runs. He smashed 20 fours and 2 sixes. Besides, Marshal Ayub scored 50 and Saikat Ali 42. Meharab Hossain and Mohammad Ashraful are unbeaten on 28 and 1 respectively.

Sylhet Division bowler Shahnur Rahman took 2 wickets for 14 while Abu Jayed and Enamul Haque Jr. got 1 wicket each.

Brief Score:

Sylhet Division, Sadman Islam 157, Marshal Ayub 50, Saikat Ali 42, Shamsur Rahman 34; Shahnur Rahman 14-61-2.


risingbd/Dhaka/Oct 1, 2018/Porag/AI