Young pacer Mukidul blazes NCL with 12-for

Young pacer Mukidul Islam got another six-wicket haul for Rangpur Division to put his side in a vantage position for the last day of their second round National Cricket League match against Khulna Division at Cricket Garden, Rangpur on Wednesday.

Mukidul, who got six wickets in first innings, returned with 6-67 in the second innings to achieve a match figure of 12-131 as Rangpur need 117 more runs to win in the last day with all 10 wickets intact. 

Rajshahi clinched a dramatic win against Barisal within two days on Tuesday while other two matches of the round- Sylhet Division versus Dhaka Division and Chittagong Division versus Dhaka Metro- seem to be heading toward stalemates.

Rangpur v Khulna

The 20-year old Mukidul continued his wicket taking spree by picking up Khulna opener Rabiul Islam Robi in the very first ball of the second winnings on second evening and on day three he kept his demolition act throughout the day. 

Amit Majumder, the other opener kept his fight and formed partnerships but Mukidul got rid off Tushar Imran, the most prolific run-scorer in domestic circuit for just two and skipper Nurul Islam for a golden duck in consecutive deliveries to break the backbone of Khulna batting. 

Amit, who eventually scored 89, built a 126-run stand with Ziaur Rahman (64) but Mukidul dismissed both of them in quick succession to put his side on the box seat. Rangpur openers ended the day on 16 without loss while chasing the target of 133 runs.

Sylhet v Dhaka

Left-arm spinner Rahatul Ferdous starred for Sylhet at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium Academy Ground, Cox’s Bazar as his 7-75 gave his side a vital 90-run lead. 

Dhaka resumed the day on 239-6 with Shuvagata Hom on 89. Although Hom reached his century before getting out for 144, Rahatul picked all four remaining wickets to bundle them out for 280.

Sylhet, who posted 370 runs in the first innings, ended the day on 183-6 in their second innings to stretch the lead to 273. Asadulla Al Galib was not out on 74

Chittagong v Metro

At Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium Ground, Dhaka Metro were all out for 267 in their first innings after resuming the day on 132-3. Chitaagong’s Hasan Murad ended with 5-72.

Chittagong, who declared on 402-8 in first innings, were on 43-1 on with a total lead of 178 runs on stumps.