Saif Hassan’s unbeaten 131 enabled Dhaka Division to rattle up 300 for 3 against Barisal on the first day of four-day match of National Cricket League (NCL) held on Tuesday at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium at Sylhet.
Barisal skipper Fazle Mahmud won the coveted toss and decided to field first. He was immediately rewarded for his decision to choose to field as Dhaka’s opener Rony Talukdar was dismissed by Tawhidul Islam for a duck with no runs on the scoreboard.
However Mahmud’s joy was short lived as the other Dhaka opener and wicket keeper batsman Zahiduzzaman along with Saif Hassan put on 100 runs for the second wicket partnership to repair the damages. Zahid was also dismissed by Tawhid for a defiant 57 laced with six boundaries.
Barisal born Saif found Raqibul Hasan willing to stay back and help him to repair the early damages. They put on 74 runs for the third wicket partnership with Raquib departed at his individual 38 with the scoreboard showing 174 for 3.
An 18- year old Saif looked in total control and he was joined by Tabibur Rahman as the pitch dried in the basking afternoon sun and looked a good track to bat on. Both Saif and Tabib batted elegantly to remain not out when the stumps were drawn at the end of the first day’s play. They put on 126 runs for unbroken fifth wicket stand.
Saif was in supreme touch as he batted with immaculate touch to score 131 not out off 265 deliveries with his 354 minutes stay at the crease. His superlative innings was studded with fifteen delightful boundaries and one towering sixer. Earlier Saif completed his ton off 218 balls in 281 minutes.
On the other end, Tabib reached his half century off 77 balls and remain unbeaten on 70 with seven delightful boundaries.
Earlier in the mid afternoon, match umpire stopped the play for eight minutes due to a mild earthquake.
Tawhidul Islam was the pick of the Barisal bowler with two wickets for 45 the other wicket was captured by Monir Hossain.
