Khulna: The third round of the 26th National Cricket League (NCL) concluded today with Khulna delivering a striking blow to Dhaka Metro by handing them their first defeat in the ongoing first-class tournament, securing a nine-wicket victory. This round also saw Sylhet and Rajshahi claim victories, while the match between Chattogram and Dhaka Division ended in a draw. The final day was marked by Dhaka Division's Mahdiul Islam Ankon narrowly missing a century, falling for 99. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Khulna Division claimed their first win in the NCL by defeating Dhaka Metro at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. After enforcing a follow-on against Metro, Khulna chased down a target of 207 runs in less than two sessions, thanks to an outstanding innings by Bijoy and Kayes. Bijoy's aggressive 71 off 47 balls and Kayes' unbeaten 83 off 80 deliveries secured the win for Khulna. In the first innings, Khulna posted 376, with Bijoy and Amit both scoring centuries, while Metro were bowled out f or 210 with Mahedi Hasan taking 5-62. In Bogra, Sylhet achieved their second victory in the league against Rangpur, driven by nightwatchman Rejaur Rahman Raja's crucial 59 runs. Starting the day at 51-2, Sylhet needed 139 more runs for victory, which Raja and his teammates achieved despite a brief collapse orchestrated by fast bowler Mukidul Islam Mugdho. Amit Hasan and Asadullah Galib steadied the innings, leading Sylhet to a four-wicket win that catapulted them to the top of the points table. Meanwhile, Rajshahi secured their first win by defeating Barishal with a six-wicket margin at Cox's Bazar Stadium. Left-arm spinner Sunzamul Islam's exceptional bowling figures of 6-40 dismantled Barishal's batting lineup, leaving Rajshahi with a modest target of 68 runs. Despite some hiccups, they reached the target with contributions from SM Meherob Hossain and Pritom Kumar. The match between Chattogram and Dhaka Division ended in a draw, with Dhaka's Mahidul Islam Ankon falling agonizingly short of a century at 9 9 runs. The game, affected by a washed-out first day, saw Dhaka post 401 in their first innings and Chattogram reaching 124-4 by stumps. Chattogram's Sazzadul Hoque Ripon had earlier scored 139 in their first innings total of 371.
