The 6th round of the four-day Walton 16th National Cricket League began at four separate venues in Dhaka and adjoining areas on Monday with Raqibul Hasan of Dhaka Division and Mehedi Hasan of Khulna Division making centuries on the first day.
Sent into bat first at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, holders Dhaka Division scored 294 for 6 in 90 overs in the first innings on the first day of the four-day affair against league leader Rangpur Division.
After the departure of two openers — Rony Talukder (0) and Abdul Mazid (8) — for 26 runs in 5.4 overs, first class debutant Jony Talukder pairing with number four national colour Raqibul Hasan guided the team towards a respectable total scoring 137 runs in the 3rd wicket stand.
Two down Raqibul Hasan scored an unconquered 115 runs off 259 balls with 12 fours and a six while one down Jony Talukder made 90 runs off 149 balls with 13 boundaries.
Besides, Nadif Chowdhury (31), Mohammad Sharif (16) and Shuvagoto Hom (15) were the other major contributors for Dhaka Division.
Shuvashish Roy and Suhrawardy Shuvo took two wickets each for 49 and 63 runs respectively.
At BKSP ground-3 in Savar, Khulna Division opened the innings first after winning the toss and scored 299 for 5 in 90 overs in the first innings against Dhaka Metropolis at stumps on the first day (Monday), featuring 131 runs in the 3rd wicket partnership by Mehedi Hasan and Tushar Imran.
Opener Mehedi Hasan notched a century making 140 runs off 205 balls with 20 fours and 2 sixes while number four veteran cricketer Tushar Imran added 69 runs off 111 balls with 10 boundaries.
Besides, Mohammad Mithun (36), Abu Bakkar (24) and Nurul Hasan (not out 12) were the other major contributors for Khulna.
Sharifullah grabbed two wickets for 82 runs.
At BKSP ground-2 in Savar, Barisal Division batted first after winning the toss and were all out for 235 runs in 78 overs in the first innings against Rajshahi Division on the first day (Monday).
Lower order national colour all rounder Sohag Gazi scored the team highest 59 runs off 65 balls with four fours and four sixes.
Saif Hasan (41), Mosaddek Hossain (32) and Shahin Hossain (30) were the other leading scorers for Barisal.
Saqlain Sajib caused major damage to Barisal innings grabbing five wickets for 81 runs while Sanjamul Islam picked up two wickets for 75 runs.
In reply, Rajshahi Division opened the first innings and scored 32 for 1 in 13 overs at stumps on the first day with opener Mizanur Rahman and Junaid Siddique batting with 21 and 1 run respectively.
At Fatullah, Sylhet Division opened the innings first after winning the toss against Chittagong Division and scored 214 for 3 in 90 overs at stumps on the first day (Monday) with Rajin Saleh and Alok Kapali contributing 107 runs in the 4th wicket stand.
Former national vice captain Rajin Saleh scored not out 72 runs off 185 balls with six fours and two sixes, former national cricketer Alok Kapali made an unbeaten 43 runs off 136 balls with five fours, opener Imtiaz Hossain scored 43 and Rahatul Ferdous 34 runs for Sylhet Division.
Moniruzzaman of Chittagong claimed two wickets for 30 runs.
After the 5th round matches, Rangpur Division tops the list securing 87 points with three win and two draw, Khulna Division followed with 86 points on net run-rate while Dhaka Division with identical 86 points, went down to the 3rd slot from first position on net run rate.
Securing 67 points, Dhaka Metropolis team maintained the 4th place with two win, one loss and two draw while Rajshahi Division also retained the 5th place securing 45 points, with one win, three losses, and a draw.
Barisal Division (33 points) leapfrogged Sylhet Division (30 points) to take the 6th position while Chittagong Division (22) remained at bottom in the eight-team league.
