DHAKA, Dec  02, 2024 (BSS) - Left-arm fast bowler Mehedi Hasan Rana who returned to first class cricket after 25 months, following injury and other problems, brought him into the limelight again by putting a stellar performance on Day 3 of the seventh and last round of the National Cricket League (NCL) today.

Rana who rose to prominence due to his superb performance in BPL 2019, gave Khulna a stranglehold by claiming 7-31.

Elsewhere Sylhet who had already clinched NCL title struggled to remain unbeaten in the tournament as they require 59 runs on Day 4 with just two wickets at hands to win the match against Rajshahi.

Dhaka Metro in another venue secured five-wicket win over Chattogram.

Khulna vs Rangpur

Fast bowler Mehedi Hasan Rana claimed seven wickets for 31 runs to help Khulna Division take a complete control over Rangpur at Khulna Stadium.

His seven-for wrapped up Rangpur for just 133 runs in the first innings, giving Khulna a handsome 111-run lead.

Khulna then reached six for no loss at stumps on Day 3 to extend the overall lead to 117.

In the face of disciplined bowling of Mehedi Rana, who returned to competitive cricket after 21 months gap following a serious injury, Rangpur found them in wanting right from the start. No. 10 batter Mukidul Islam Mugdha was the top-scorer for the side with 24 not out while Nobin Islam made 22.

Earlier, resuming the day at 240-7, Khulna were able to add just four runs with the rest of the three wickets to be all out for 244. Mugdha took 4-66 while Ariful Haque and Nobin Islam picked up two wickets apiece.
 

Dhaka Metro vs Chattogram

Left-arm spinner Arif Ahmed claimed a match haul of nine wickets including 5-80 in the second innings to guide Dhaka Metro to a five-wicket win over Chattogram at Rajshahi Stadium thanks to Arif’s disciplined bowling, Chattogram were dismissed for 246 in its second innings, setting 139-run target for Metro to win the game.

Metro reached the victory target by making 141-5.

Arif earlier in the first innings claimed 4-23 to bowl out Chattogram for 160, which eventually determined the course of the game.

Metro then put up 268 before being all out to take a huge 108 runs lead.

However, resuming the Day 3 at 173-6, Chattogram were able to add just 73 runs with the bulk of that came from the willow of Nayeem Hasan who made 62.

Abu Haider Rony with 4-48 gave Arif an ample support.

Chasing the target, Metro rode on Aich Mollah’s 42 and captain Naim Sheikh’s 35 to gun the total for their third victory in seven matches inside three days.
 

Sylhet vs Rajshahi

Sylhet faced an uphill task to become unbeaten champions in the 26th National Cricket League (NCL) as they need 59 runs with just two wickets at hands for a victory against Rajshahi Division.

Sylhet which had already clinched the title with a game to spare, reached 142-8, while chasing a
victory target of 201 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.

Sylhet so far won four matches and drew two on the way to secure the title for the first time in NCL history.

Resuming the Day 3 at 70-3, Rajshahi were bowled out for 186 with captain Pritom Kumar making highest 44 and Nihad Uz Zaman scoring 43.

Sofor Ali, Nabil Samad and Tofael Ahmed claimed three wickets apiece for Sylhet.

However, captain Amite Hasan continued the trend of making runs consistently amid the failure of the other batters. Amite followed his first innings 53 with 71 in the second innings to keep Sylhet in the game still. The second best 30 each came from the willow of Pinak Ghosh and Taufiq Khan Tushar. No other batters could reach double digits.

Sofor Ali and Nabil Samad were in the crease with 3 and 2 runs respectively at stumps.

Barishal vs Dhaka

Barishal Division bounced back into the game against Dhaka by reaching 207-5, which extended their lead to 186 at stumps on Day at Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogura.

Dhaka resumed the day at 308-8 but declared at 310-9, taking a 21-run lead.

Their goal was to bowl out Barishal cheaply to take the control of the game. But that was not to be, largely due to Moinul Islam and Fazle Rabbi who both hit half-centuries to keep the side aloft.

After the openers were removed for cheaply, Fazle Rabbi scored 50 and Moinul added team-best 56 to help the side hit back into the game.

Moin Khan was batting on 30 with Ruyel Mea yet to score when the bails were drawn.

Earlier, Barishal were bowled out for 289 in its first innings.