National Cricket League: Saif Hassan hits double ton, Abu Hider bags 5 wickets

Dhaka Division's right-handed top-order batsman Saif Hassan hit a double-century on Friday in the National Cricket League (NCL) against Rangpur Division at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. 

It was Saif's career best. Meanwhile, Dhaka Metro's pacer Abu Hider Rony took five wickets against Sylhet Division at Shahid Chandu Stadium in Bogura. 

Tier-1:

Dhaka Division vs Rangpur Division: Resuming the first innings with overnight total of 312 for four, Dhaka declared the inning for 556 for 8 in 160 overs against Rangpur Division on the second day of the four-day second round NCL match at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. 

Saif, who left the field with injury on Thursday with 120 runs, resumed batting on the second day and scored his second double-ton in first-class cricket. He remained unbeaten at 220 off 329 balls with 19 fours and four sixes. Overnight batsmen Shuvagata Hom and Sumon Khan scored 17 and 24 runs respectively. 

Dhaka Division captain Nadif Chowdhury came to bat at number eight and scored 61 off 75 with six fours and two sixes. 

Sohrawordi Shuvo and Sanjit Saha bagged three wickets each for Rangpur. 

In reply, Rangpur scored 71 for two in 18 overs to trail by 485 runs with eight wickets in hand. Liton Das and Naeem Islam remained unbeaten on 51 and 8 runs respectively at the end of the day. 

Brief score: Dhaka Division first innings: 556/8 (declared) in 160 overs, Saif 220*, Rony 65, Raqibul 57, Nadif 61, Shuvo 3/134, Sanjit 3/89

Rangpur Division first innings: 71/2 in 18 overs, Liton 51*, Naeem 8*, Salauddin Sakil 2/16

Rajshahi Division vs Khulna Division: Replying to Rajshahi Division's first innings total of 261 runs, Khulna Division posted 227 for 6 in 90 overs at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna on Friday. 

Khulna lost Soumya Sarkar (0) early but Imrul Kayes continued with good form hitting 93 runs off 190 balls with 10 fours before being dismissed by a good run-out effort by Najmul Hossain Shanto and Shakhir Hossain. 

Anamul Haque posted 34 and veteran Tushar Imran 43. Nurul Hasan Sohan (35) and Abdur Razzak (7) remained unbeaten at the end of day two. 

Shafiul Islam and Taijul Islam scalped two wickets each for Rajshahi. 

Brief score: Rajshahi first innings: 261/10 in 85.3 overs, Junaid 51, Farhad Hossain 45, Farhad Reza 41, Miraz 4/38, Rubel 2/51, Mustafiz 2/64

Khulna first innings: 227/6 in 90 overs, Imrul 93, Tushar 43, Nurul Hasan 35, Shafiul 2/55, Taijul 2/75

Tier-2

Chattogram Division vs Barishal Division: Resuming their overnight first inning total of 261 for 4 in 90 overs, Chattogram Division were all out for 356 runs in 134.3 overs in Tier-2 match against Barishal Division at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah.

Overnight batsmen Yasir Ali scored 70 off 157 runs with four fours and one six while Mahidul Islam Ankon made 91 off 158 with eight fours and two sixes. Besides, number seven batsman Masum Ahmed hit 50 off 123 with four fours and one six. 

Right-arm pacer Monir Hossain took four wickets conceding 99 in 34.3 overs while Mosaddek Hossain bagged two wickets for 29 runs in 19 overs. 

In reply, Barishal scored 104 for four in 43 overs at the end of day two. Opener Rafsan Al Mahmud scored 49 off 121 balls with five fours and one six. Mohammad Ashraful and Mosaddek Hossain scored unbeaten four each to end the day. 

Nayeem Hasan scalped two wickets for Chattogram conceding 23 runs while Noman Chowdhury and Minhajul Abedin Afridi took one wicket each. 

Brief score: Chattogram first innings: 356/10 in 134.3 overs, Mahidul 91, Yasir 70, Irfan 57, Monir Hossain 4/99, Mosaddek 2/29

Barishal first innings: 104/4 in 43 overs, Rafsan 49, Shahriar Nafees 17, Nayeem 2/23

Dhaka Metro vs Sylhet Division: In the other Tier-2 game at Shahid Chandu Stadium in Bogura, replying to Dhaka Metro's first innings total of 246, Sylhet scored 319 in 84.5 overs in their first innings, resuming the day with an overnight score of 5 for 1. 

Sylhet lost Imtiaz early on the first day, but four half centuries by Towfiq Khan (61), Zakir Hasan (71) Alok Kapali (54) and Jaker Ali (71) helped them secure a 73-run lead over Dhaka Metro. 

Abu Hider recorded five wickets conceding 55 runs in 16.5 overs while the other pacer Shahidul Islam took three wickets for 48 in 16 overs. 

Dhaka Metro opened their second innings at the end of day two and played seven overs to score 9 runs without losing any wicket. Mohammad Naim and Rakin Ahmed remained unbeaten for 8 and 1. 

Brief score: Dhaka Metro first innings: 246/10 in 83.4 overs, Mahmudullah 63, Shahidul Islam 54, Eanmul 2/52, Rejaur 4/75; second innings: 9/0 in seven overs. 

Sylhet first innings: 319/10 in 84.5 overs, Towfiq 61, Zakir 71, Alok 54, Jaker 71, Abu Hider 5/55, Shahidul 3/48