DHAKA: A six-wicket haul from pacer Sumon Khan helped Dhaka bowl out Khulna for a meager 172 in the first innings of their fifth-round game of the National Cricket League (NCL) at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur today. However, Khulna managed to regain some footing by reducing Dhaka to 58-3 at stumps on Day 1 of the game. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Sumon Khan, who finished with an impressive 6-50, troubled Khulna right from the outset after they opted to bat first. Despite his early onslaught, Khulna captain Mohammad Mithun, who had scored a century in the previous match, fought valiantly to help his side cross the 150-run mark, which seemed unlikely at one stage. Mithun's innings included a dozen boundaries, scoring 69 off 94 before being dismissed by Mahfuzur Rabby. Opener Anamul Haque Bijoy was the other notable contributor with a score of 28. Salahuddin Shakil also chipped in with figures of 2-57, complementing Sumon's efforts. However, Dhaka faced challenges of their own , as pacer Al-Amin Hossain took two wickets, creating difficulties for them late in the afternoon. At the end of the day, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat remained unbeaten on 20, with Ariful Islam accompanying him on 15 when play was called off.
