DHAKA, Oct 20, 2019 (BSS)-Opener Imtiaz Hossain’s 110 not out trumped Mahmudullah Riyad’s valiant century as Sylhet Division romped to an eight-wicket victory over Dhaka Metro in the Tier-2 game of National Cricket League (NCL) at Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogura on Sunday.
Mahmdullah made 111 as Metro who resumed the day on 225-6, was all out for 273, setting a 201 runs target to win for Sylhet. And Sylhet chased it down happily thanks to Imtiaz Hossain’s 110 not out. Arafat Sunny dismissed Sylhet opener Towfiq Khan for 10 but Imtiaz and Zakir Hasan shared 162-run for the second wicket stand to take the side on the verge of victory.
Zakir who scored 71 in the first innings, followed it with 72 before being out. But that mattered little as Imtiaz who smashed 11 fours and one six in his 178 balls knock sailed the side home. Afif Hossain was not out on 8 alongside him.
Earlier, Mahmudullah Riyad who opened the day on 95, reached his 12th first class century with ease. But shortly after that pacer Abu Jayed Rahi rattled his stump to make sure that Metro would not set a daunting target for them. Mahmudullah hit six fours and one six in his knock. Shahidul Islam was the other notable scorer with 42 runs.
Abu Jayed Rahi was the most successful bowler for Sylhet with 4-49 while Imran Ali and Enamul Haque Junior took two wickets apiece.
By virtue of winning the game, Sylhet, with 11.19 points now breathed heavily on Barishal who had 12 points to top the table in Tier-2.
However the game between Chattogram Division and Barishal ended in a draw at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatuallh.
Resuming the day on 50-1, Chattogram declared their second innings on 195-6, setting an improbable target of 336. Pinak Ghosh was the highest scorer for the side with 54 while Mahidul Islam Ankon made 43. Kamrul Islam Rabbi took 2-43.
Thanks to off-spinner Nayeem Hasan’s 4-54, Chattogram put them in winning position before Barishal held the nerve to escape with draw. They were 174-7 before the bails were drawn for the final time. Mohammad Ashraful scored highest 60 while Shahriar Nafees made 42. Dhaka Metro vs Sylhet
Dhaka Metro 246 & 273 all out (Mahmudullah 111, Shahidul 42; Abu Jayed 4-49, Imran Ali 2-35) Sylhet 319 & 204-2 (Imtiaz Hossain 110 not out, Zakir Hasan 72; Arafat Sunny 1-34, Manik Khan 1-25) Result: Sylhet wins by 8 wickets Man of the Match: Zakir Hasan
Chattogram vs Barishal
Chattogram 356 & 195-6 (Pinak Ghosh 54, Mahidul Ankon 43, Kamrul Rabbi 2-43) Barishal 216 & 174-7 (Ashraful 60, Shahriar Nafees 42, Nayeem Hasan 4-54, Noman Chowdhury 2-34)
Result: Match draw
Man of the Match: Nayeem Hasan, Mahidul Islam Ankon