Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 6th National Cricket League
Mashrafee ton saves Khulna
Sports Reporter
Rajshahi defeated Barisal by five wickets for their first outright win in the Ispahani Sixth National Cricket League but Sylhet were denied a similar success mainly because of a magnificent maiden first-class century by Mashrafee-Bin-Mortuza.National star Mashrafee, who smashed 70 in the first innings, hit a blazing 132 as Khulna pulled off a dramatic draw after following-on on the final day of the four-day match at the Khulna Divisional Stadium. Rajshahi's victory placed them in the second position with Chittagong in the six-team table that holders Dhaka lead with 24 points after five rounds. Both Chittagong and Rajshahi have 18 points each. Sylhet, who bagged four points by virtue of their first-innings lead, were still trailing Khulna (12) by two points with Barisal at the bottom on eight. KHULNA-SYLHET
Mashrafee continued with his batting exploits for the second successive day to save Khulna's blushes at home. Batting at number four, the emerging all-rounder of the country steered his side to 279-9 in the second innings after following on. The pace bowler might have failed to take a single wicket in the match but entertained the home crowd with the bat during his 140-ball undefeated knock. The Narail sensation smashed 13 fours and five sixes in just over three hours and shared a match saving 103 runs for the fifth wicket with stand-in captain Manzarul Islam. The right-hander, who took 119 deliveries to complete his maiden century at any level, was also adjudged man-of-the-match. Manzarul played his part with a fine 41 on the back of an undefeated 73 not out in the first innings. The southpaw resumed the day on 49 and scored all the 24 runs Khulna added in the morning before both of his partners were dismissed by Sylhet paceman Tapash Baisya without scoring. Khulna, overnight 218-8, needed a further 54 runs to avoid the follow-on but were bowled out for 242, giving Sylhet a first-innings lead of 179 runs. RAJSHAHI-BARISAL
Set to score 166 on the final day, Rajshahi rode on a 78-run opening stand to reach 169-5 just before tea at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium. Moniruzzaman Tinku made a quickfire 60 off 69 balls with 11 boundaries while his opening partner Naeem Islam contributed 44. Barisal left-arm spinner Nadif Chowdhury's three-wicket haul gave the home side some sort of discomfort in the middle but the Rajshahi lower half steadied things after that mini-collapse. Saifullah Khan was adjudged man of the match after the Rajshahi left-arm spinner finished the match with eight wickets.
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