Rangpur:Skipper Akbar Ali's determined innings of 64 helped Rangpur Division secure a draw against Dhaka Division in the first round of the 28th National Cricket League at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rangpur found themselves in a challenging position despite having a first-innings lead. In their second innings, they were struggling at 6-3, providing Dhaka with a promising chance to win the match. The situation further deteriorated when Rangpur lost five wickets for just 42 runs within the first hour on the final day, leaving them with an overall lead of only 108.
Akbar Ali, alongside Chowdhury Rizwan, resisted Dhaka's bowling attack. The duo added 56 runs for the sixth wicket while consuming an entire session, which proved crucial in diminishing Dhaka's time to chase the target. Rizwan was eventually out for 27, but Akbar continued to anchor the innings, contributing 64 off 132 balls with five boundaries and a six before being the ninth wicket to fall.
Rangpur eventually posted a total of 149 in their second innings, setting Dhaka a target of 206 runs for victory. However, Dhaka had limited time and could only reach 9 without loss in the 4.1 overs they were able to play.
Earlier in the match, Rangpur scored 340 in their first innings, while Dhaka replied with 284, bolstered by Taibur Rahman's century of 108 runs.