Dhaka Division hold on to Tier 1 top spot despite weather-hit draw in Cox's Bazar

Their fast-bowling trio helped Sylhet Division to an innings-and-26-run victory over Rangpur Division in the NCL Tier-1 match over the weekend. The result also helped Dhaka Division keep their lead in the points table despite their game against Dhaka Metropolis in Cox's Bazar ending in a draw, with cyclone Hanum on the south-eastern coast allowing very little cricket to be played.

Batting first in Khulna, Sylhet reached 415, only the third 400-plus score in their first-class history. Shamsur Rahman, playing for his fourth NCL side, struck 15 fours and two sixes in his knock of 160 off 252 balls. He added 180 runs for the fifth wicket with Tawhidul Islam, who made 62. For Rangpur, quick bowler Asadullah Galib took 5 for 107, his second five-for this season.

Sylhet's quick bowlers Khaled Ahmed, Abu Jayed and Rejaur Rahman Raja grabbed all ten wickets as Rangpur were bowled out for 159 in reply. Khaled took 5 for 50, while Jayed picked up four wickets and Raja took the other one.

The trio then shared six more wickets in the second innings, with Jayed taking three to get to 300 first-class wickets. Jayed became the third Bangladeshi fast bowler to reach the milestone, following Mohammad Sharif (374) and Forhad Reza (312), as Rangpur were bowled out for 230 in the second innings after being asked to follow on.

Barishal Division opened their account this season with a seven-wicket win against Khulna Division, who, despite the loss, remained on top of the Tier-2 points table.

Ruyel Miah took four wickets and Kamrul Islam three as Khulna were bowled out for 142 in the first innings in Bogra. Moin Khan's 76 then gave Barishal a 79-run lead after they had slumped to 121 for 8. No. 8 Moin added 98 runs for the ninth wicket with Kamrul, who added 30 to the total.

Soumya Sarkar, who took four wickets in the Barishal innings, then remained not out on 96 with ten fours and three sixes as Khulna were bowled out for 225 in the second innings. Kamrul took four wickets for Barishal, who then needed 43.2 overs to knock off the 147 runs in the fourth innings. Moinul Islam made an unbeaten 71 to help them along.

Chattogram Division picked up their second win after they beat Rajshahi Division by nine wickets in Sylhet. Sabbir Hossain's quick maiden first-class century gave Rajshahi the perfect start. But his 123 off 122 balls, that contained seven sixes and 13 fours, couldn't translate into a big score for his side. Rajshahi were bowled out for 309, with Shykat Ali taking five wickets.

Chattogram replied with 437, with fifties from Parvez Hossain Emon, Mominul Haque, Shamim Hossain and Irfan Shukkur. Taijul Islam took his 29th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket, having bowled 44.4 overs in this innings.

Quick bowler Ifran Hossain's five-for, however, dealt Rajshahi a heavy blow, as they were all out for 182. Nayeem Hasan took four wickets to add to his three in the first innings. Chattogram then needed just ten overs to knock off the required 57 runs in the fourth innings.