The latest round of the National Cricket League (NCL) witnessed commanding performances, spectacular double centuries, record-breaking team totals, and resilient rearguards across various matches in Bangladesh. At the center of the headlines was Mohammad Naim, whose monumental innings propelled Dhaka Division to second place in the tournament standings following a dominant victory over Rajshahi Division.
Naim put on a masterclass of endurance and strokeplay, crafting a brilliant 282 runs during a marathon 369-ball stay at the crease. His innings was decorated with 21 boundaries and seven towering sixes. Crucially, his knock was part of a record-breaking partnership that completely broke the spirit of the Rajshahi bowling attack. Naim shared a magnificent 363-run stand for the fourth wicket with Mahidul Islam Ankon, who himself played a magnificent innings of 165 runs. Ankon, serving as the captain and wicketkeeper, faced 289 balls and struck 14 fours and eight sixes, notching up his fourth century in the format.
Rajshahi’s bowling attack struggled to find answers against the relentless onslaught, with legspinner Wasi Siddiquee providing the lone spark of resistance by claiming four wickets. However, the psychological weight of Dhaka’s massive total clearly took its toll. Rajshahi’s batting lineup collapsed dramatically on the third afternoon, sliding to 10 for 3 before eventually being bundled out for a meager 162 runs. Paceman Sumon Khan tore through the order, finishing with four wickets to compound Rajshahi’s misery.
Asked to follow on, Rajshahi offered slightly more resistance in their second attempt but were once again dismissed for 256 runs. Sabbir Rahman emerged as a rare bright spot for Rajshahi, fighting valiantly to score half-centuries in both innings of the match. Despite his efforts, Dhaka’s bowling attack maintained relentless pressure, with Anamul Haque chipping in with three crucial wickets to seal a comprehensive victory for his side, lifting them to the second spot on the NCL table.
Meanwhile, in a rain-affected encounter in Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet Division and Khulna Division played out a draw, though not before Sylhet rewriting the competition’s record books. Khulna entered the match holding firm at the top of the table with 21 points, a position they managed to retain despite a grueling four days. The opening day’s play was completely washed out due to adverse weather conditions, and once play resumed, Sylhet adopted a patient, accumulation-heavy approach, showing no intention of forcing a result through risky cricket.
Batting first, Sylhet amassed a colossal 623 for 6, finally declaring their innings only on the fourth and final day. The innings featured a brilliant double century from Amite Hasan, who anchored the team with his third first-class double hundred. Captain Zakir Hasan chipped in with a fluent 160, while Ashraful Hasan Rihad contributed a magnificent century down the order.
Zakir set the tone early in the innings by adding 170 runs for the first wicket alongside Mubin Ahmed Dishan, who played a solid supporting knock of 71 runs. Later in the innings, Amite and Rihad joined forces to stitch together a mammoth 244-run partnership for the fifth wicket, completely shutting Khulna out of the game. Amite’s patient stay lasted 335 balls, during which he struck 16 fours and two sixes. Zakir slammed 15 fours and four sixes in his knock, while Rihad found the fence 15 times on his way to three figures.
This massive total of 623 for 6 declared marked Sylhet Division’s highest-ever team total in first-class cricket. Furthermore, it etched its place in local cricket history as the first time three Sylhet batsmen scored centuries in the same innings. When the match was finally called off with roughly an hour of play remaining, Khulna had reached 199 for 7 in their second innings, aided by half-centuries from Mohammad Mithun and Afif Hossain, but the match safely ended in a draw.
In another fixture of the round, Mymensingh put up a strong batting display after being asked to bat first, declaring their first innings at 465 for 7. The cornerstone of their innings was opener Mahifijul Islam, who continued his stellar run of form by scoring an unbeaten 217. This impressive knock marked his third century in just four NCL matches. Mahfijul demonstrated remarkable concentration and physical stamina, spending ten hours and 42 minutes at the crease while striking 20 fours and two sixes. Mymensingh’s bowlers then got to work late in the day, reducing their opponents to 61 for 5 by the close of the fourth day’s play.
Elsewhere, Rangpur Division put up a competitive first-innings total of 402 all out, anchored by solid half-centuries from Mim Mosaddeak and Abdullah Al Mamun. In response, Barishal Division secured a vital 41-run first-innings lead, declaring their innings on 443 for 9. The cornerstone of Barishal’s reply was an experienced knock from 38-year-old Fazle Mahmud, who registered his 11th first-class century by striking 15 fours and four sixes. Useful contributions and half-centuries from Rafsan Al Mahamud and Md Abdullah further consolidated Barishal’s position.
Facing a deficit, Rangpur showed great defensive resolve in their second innings. Mosaddeak and Nobin Islam both notched up well-compiled centuries, ensuring that Rangpur safely batted out the remaining 78 overs of the match, ending the contest comfortably on 288 for 5 when stumps were drawn.
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