BSS, Dhaka :
Dhaka Division came up with a ruthless performance to clinch the Bangabandhu National Cricket League (NCL) title after securing a 179-run victory Khulna Division on Wednesday at BKSP-3 ground.
Having won the match, Dhaka collected highest 35.29 points in the Tier-1 point table. In the double leg tournament, Dhaka won three matches, drew two and lost one in their six matches.
It was the sixth time for Dhaka to win the title, having won the last trophy in 2013-14 season.
After the fifth round, both Dhaka and Rangpur had the equal chance to win the trophy. But in contrast of Dhaka’s victory, Rangpure drew their last match with Sylhet to finish on 31.74 points and became runners-up. Sylhet achieved third spot in Tier-1 with 20.56 points. But Khulna Division, the
champions of the last season, came up with most disappointing result as they languished at the bottom table in Tier-1 with 19.82 points.
As a consequence, Khulna, the seven-time NCL winning team, the highest for any season, demoted to Tier-2 for the next season.
Chattogram who topped the Tier-2 point table, will play in the Tier-1 in next season.
Captain Taibur Rahman hastened Dhaka victory on the fourth and final day, claiming 5-40. His career-best bowling effort dismissed Khulna for 199 as they were chasing 379-run target for the victory.
Dhaka’s dominance was established after the first innings when they put up 335, thanks to Mahidul Islam Ankan’s 92 and Nadi Chowdhury’s 53.
Shuvagata Hom snapped up 7-48 for his career-best bowling as Khulna were bowled out for 213 to concede 122-run lead. Dhaka then set up a massive target for Khulna, declaring their second inning on 256-8 with Rony Talukdar hitting 87 and Abdul Mazid making 61.
Khulna occasional bowler Mohammad Mithun, who is basically a wicket- keeper batter sprung a surprise, having taken seven wickets of Dhaka’s fallen eight wickets. But Mithun’s surprising bowling didn’t surprise Dhaka at all.
Rangpur started playing the match against Sylhet with an intention to win, which could make them the Champions for the second time. But that was not to be as they failed to break the resistance of stubborn Sylhet batters.
After put into bat first, Myshukur Rahman’s 157 led Rangpur to 393 before being all out. But Sylhet replied strongly thanks to Amite Hasan’s career-best 186 and Zakir Hasan’s 122 which helped them to amass 540. The time was over for Rangpur after they reached 196-5 on the last and final day.
