DHAKA, Oct 15, 2023 (BSS)-Left-arm spinner Arif Ahmed claimed his career-best 5-43 as Dhaka Metro secured an 88-run victory over Sylhet Division in their first match of the 25th National Cricket League (NCL) at the Academy ground of the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today.

Chasing a target of 205, Sylhet were bowled out for just 116 on the final and fourth day of the match in the face of some quality spin bowling of Arif.

Metro which batted first were bowled out for 243 in its first innings but conceded eight-run lead when Sylhet put up 251 before being all out. They thereafter were bundled out for 212 in the second innings but left the ground with a victory, thanks to Arif.

Rony Talukder hit a century to help Dhaka Division edge past Rangpur Division by 23 runs at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Rony fought lonely as Dhaka were wrapped up for paltry 166 in the first innings. Rony alone made 102. Rangpur then took a 57-run lead being all out for 223 in reply. But Dhaka put up 223 in the second innings to set a 152-run target for Rangpur which tasted a sensational collapse during chasing to be all out for just 128. Pacer Anamul Hossain scalped 4-19 to trigger the collapse.

Khulna Division crushed Rajshahi by 400 runs in their opening game in NCL at Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi, thanks to Mohammad Mithun who made 125 not out in the second innings to help the side set a mammoth target for the opponent.

Khulna piled up 288 in its first innings and then skittled Rajshahi out for just 81. They then declared their second innings on 334-5 after Mithun's 125 not out. Rajshahi were all out for 141 to concede a big defeat.

In the first round's other match, Chattogram sealed an 87-run victory against Barishal at their home venue Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.