Mirpur: As many as 13 wickets were fallen on Day 1 of the National Cricket League’s (NCL) second round game between Rajshahi and Khulna at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today. Opting to bat first, Khulna were wrapped up for 121 in 44.5 overs before Rajshahi replied with purpose to reach 87-3 at stumps.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Nihad Uz Zaman and SM Meherob Hossain claimed three wickets apiece to scythe down Khulna batting, putting Rajshahi on top. No.9 batter Mrittunjoy Chowdhury was the top-scorer for Khulna with 23 while Ziaur Rahman made 21. Captain Mohammad Mithun was not out on 17 after playing 73 balls.
Sabbir Hosain played a run-a-ball-39 to help Rajshahi recover briefly from a shaky start that saw them lose two wickets for 11 runs in the fourth over, including the wicket of captain Najmul Hossain Shanto who will lead Bangladesh Test team against Ireland in the next week. Mehidy Hasan Miraz dismissed Sabbir to cut short Rajshahi’s advantage but Pritom Kumar and Sabbir Rahman put the side back on track. Both were batting on 20 when the rain made an abrupt end to the day. Miraz took all three wickets of Rajshahi so far.