Dhaka win National Cricket League

Dhaka division won the National Cricket League bagging five bonus points against defending champions Khulna on the second day of the seventh and final round of the competition on Sunday.

Dhaka had Nurul Hasan’s brilliant century to thank for the lead in the first innings at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong.

Dhaka took three bonus points bowling out Khulna, added another bonus point crossing 250 runs and one more by taking a lead in the first innings.

They were table-toppers with 111 points at the end of the sixth round – 21 ahead of their closest competitors Rajshahi in the second. After the five bonus points, Dhaka have 116 points.

Ali Hossain, the manager of Dhaka, told bdnews24.com that Dhaka were now certain to take the title regardless of the result of their last round match.

His team started the second day on 75 for one after bundling out Khulna for 243 on the first day.

Dhaka’s first five batsmen headed back to the dugout within 96 runs as Khulna skipper Abdur Razzak spun his way through the top order.

Hasan took charge from there and lifted his team to 252 runs. His 145-ball 101 was laced with eight boundaries and four sixes.

After Hasan departed on 239, Md Masum (6 not out) and Nazmul Apu (9) took the team beyond the 250-run mark.

Razzak was the pick of the Khulna bowler with figures of 6 for 101.

In reply, Khulna were 94 for three at stumps of day two. Imrul Kayes went back scoring 38 runs while Anamul Haque was at the crease on 36.

Shuvagata Hom bagged two wickets giving away eight runs for Dhaka.