Dhaka: Pacer Irfan Hossain returned figures of 5-65 as Chattogram Division kept them aloft over Sylhet on Day 1 of the National Cricket League (NCL) fifth round game against Sylhet at Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra today. Irfan's impressive performance helped wrap up Sylhet for 255 in its first innings, after which Chattogram raced to 19-1, trailing by 236 runs.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Captain Zakir Hasan, who opened the innings for Sylhet, hit 73 runs and kept the side in the contest amid Irfan's strikes. He managed to score a dozen boundaries during his knock as Sylhet's middle order crumbled after being sent in to bat first. Compounding Sylhet's troubles, two of their top four batters were dismissed for duck.
Lower order batter Rejaur Rahman Raja stepped up with a 57-run innings to steady Sylhet's performance, while Ashraful Rihad contributed significantly with 46 runs. Meanwhile, Mehedi Hasan supported Irfan's efforts by grabbing 3-41, further dismantling Sylhet's batting lineup.
In response, Chattogram's innings began with the early loss of Sadikur Rahman for 5 in the second over. However, Jasim Uddin and Ahmed Sharif managed to see off the day, remaining unbeaten on 13 and 1 run respectively, as Chattogram aims to build a solid first innings lead.