Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 5th National Cricket League
Sylhet own day one
Sports Reporter
Sylhet won the opening day's battle against Dhaka as the two title-contenders launched their final assaults on the four-day competition of the Ispahani Mirzapore Tea National League at different venues yesterday. Eyeing for a maiden first-class title, Sylhet got off to a flying start on their home ground against Rajshahi, putting up 371 before being all out in 88.4 overs. Dhaka, on the other hand, had reached a commanding 258-6 against defending champions Khulna at the Shamsul Huda Stadium in Jessore. Hosts Barisal also posted an impressive total of 250-9 in 97 overs against Chittagong in the battle of the no-hopers. SYLHET V RAJSHAHI
Sylhet thrived on a century partnership between Imtiaz Khan and Golam Rahman to amass the highest innings total on the first day. They gave the hosts a perfect start putting on 103 runs for the second wicket before the lower-order sent the Rajshahi bowlers on a leather hunt in the final session. Rahman scored a swashbuckling 78 off 87 balls that included 13 hits across the rope. Imtiaz scored a sensible 73 off 127 balls that featured eight fours. But the Sylhet innings flourished at the end with number seven Ahmed making an unbeaten 47 followed by Rezaul Haq and Rana, who chipped in with 30 apiece. Even number eleven batsman Nabil had his day with the bat, clobbering 22 runs off just 14 deliveries. DHAKA V KHULNA
Illias Sunny missed a maiden first-class century just for six runs, but the effort of the left-arm spinner provided the platform Dhaka needed in the last game against Khulna. Coming into bat at number three after opener Rashedul Haq depart for only three, the young Sunny scored a matured 94 before he was undone by a direct hit by Khulna's substitute fielder Ripon. Sunny struck 16 sweetly timed fours in his 190-ball vigil at the crease. Stand-in-captain Sanwar Hossain also produced a valuable 52 after the tourists lost three wickets for 87 runs. Halim Shah was six runs short of a laborious half-century when stumps were drawn for the day. BARISAL V CHITTAGONG
Left-arm spinner Mustadir Litu led Barisal with a fine 71 after the home side suffered a top-order collapse against Chittagong. Batting at number eight the experienced southpaw struck nine boundaries in his 142-ball knock. Opener Imran scored 31 and wicketkeeper Shahin contributed 39. See page 14 col 6
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