Sylhet on verge of maiden NCL title

Sylhet Division are on the verge of winning their maiden National Cricket League title as they need 105 runs to win their sixth-round match against Barishal Division on the final day at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium tomorrow. 

On Day 3, pace duo Khaled Ahmed (4-18) and Tofael Ahmed (3-17) shared seven wickets between them and had help from left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed, who took two to complete 150 wickets in first-class cricket, to bundle out Barishal for 142.

Earlier, Tofael (64) and Rejaur Rahman Raja (35) shared a 94-run stand for the eighth wicket to help Sylhet post 342 runs in their first innings and take a 38-run lead. 

If Sylhet win the contest, they will have at least 37 points, 12 more than second-placed Dhaka Division and will clinch the title with one match to spare.     

According to tournament rules, a team can earn a maximum of nine points from a single fixture – eight points for winning the contest and one extra if the win is either by 10 wickets or an innings margin.

"Cricket is a game of glorious uncertainty. But we are very much confident of winning against Barishal to clinch our maiden NCL title," Sylhet head coach Rajin Saleh told The Daily Star today.

Meanwhile, Khulna Division are also in a strong position to win their sixth-round match after they reduced Chattogram Division to 118-7 in the second innings while defending 203 runs at the Sylhet Outer Stadium.

Khulna pacer Al-Amin Hossain starred with the ball as he claimed 4-55 after his side got bundled out for 219 runs in their second innings. 

For Khulna, opener Anamul Haque Bijoy top-scored with 75, while Sheikh Parvez Jibon scored 52.

Meanwhile, at the Cox's Bazar Academy Ground, the match between Dhaka Metro and Rangpur Division is heading towards a dull draw after Rangpur reached 253-9 at Stumps on day three in reply to Metro's first innings total of 475 runs.