Sylhet win maiden NCL title

Sylhet Division secured their maiden National Cricket League (NCL) title by defeating Barishal Division by five wickets in their sixth-round match at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today.

Chasing a modest target of 105 runs on the final day, Sylhet stumbled early, losing three quick wickets for just 27 runs. However, in-form captain Amite Hasan and Nasum Ahmed steadied the innings with a crucial 77-run partnership for the fourth wicket, bringing the scores level.

Nasum contributed a brisk 44 off 52 balls before being dismissed alongside Asadulla Al Galib (0) in the same over. However, Amite, who remained unbeaten on 38, struck the winning run to secure Sylhet's first-ever NCL title with one match to spare.

This victory takes Sylhet to 37 points, 12 points clear of second-placed Dhaka Division. According to tournament regulations, a team can earn a maximum of nine points from a single match—eight for a win, with an additional point if the victory is achieved by 10 wickets or an innings margin.

Earlier, on Day 3, pacers Khaled Ahmed (4-18) and Tofael Ahmed (3-17) took seven wickets between them, with support from left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed, who claimed two wickets to reach the milestone of 150 first-class dismissals. This bowling effort dismissed Barishal for 142 runs in their second innings.

In Sylhet's first innings, a vital 94-run partnership for the eighth wicket between Tofael Ahmed (64) and Rejaur Rahman Raja (35) helped the team post 342 runs, securing a 38-run lead.

Meanwhile, at the other Sylhet venue, Khulna Division defeated Chattogram Division by 58 runs on the final day. Khulna pacer Al-Amin Hossain excelled with the ball, claiming 5-67, while Mehedi Hasan Rana, who had taken five wickets in the first innings, finished with figures of 3-36. Their efforts dismissed Chattogram for 145 after they resumed on 118-7.