Mim Mosaddek and Naim Sheikh produced outstanding batting performances on the opening day of the second round of Bangladesh’s National Cricket League (NCL), while Khulna off-spinner Mahedi Hasan dominated with the ball to bowl Rajshahi Division out for just 119.
Mim struck an impressive 157 for Rangpur Division, while Dhaka Division opener Naim remained unbeaten on 131. Barishal’s Moin Khan narrowly missed a century, scoring 97, as four venues witnessed a day of substantial scores and impressive bowling performances.
Mahedi’s six wickets leave Rajshahi in trouble
At the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Mahedi Hasan’s incisive off-spin dismantled Rajshahi’s batting line-up. He claimed six wickets for 38 runs from 14 overs, while fellow bowler Safar Ali took three wickets as Rajshahi were dismissed for 119.
Opener Sabbir Hossain was the only Rajshahi batter to offer meaningful resistance, scoring 36. The rest of the line-up struggled to build substantial partnerships against Khulna’s disciplined attack.
Khulna responded strongly, reaching 108 for one at stumps. Azizul Hakim was unbeaten on 55, while Kalam Siddiqui Olin had made 28. With nine wickets remaining, Khulna needed just 12 more runs to surpass Rajshahi’s first-innings total.
The position leaves Khulna firmly in control of the match heading into the second day. Rajshahi will need an early breakthrough to prevent their opponents from building a substantial lead.
Moin falls three runs short as Barishal make 282
At the academy ground of Cox’s Bazar Stadium, Barishal Division were bowled out for 282 against Chattogram Division, despite a determined innings from Moin Khan.
Moin scored 97, falling just three runs short of a century. His innings helped Barishal post a competitive total, although the side could not capitalise sufficiently on the contributions from its middle order.
Jawad Abrar added 63, while Hafizur Rahman scored 44 and Abdullah Sifat contributed 35. Their efforts helped Barishal recover from periods of pressure, but Chattogram’s bowlers eventually brought the innings to an end.
Hasan Murad was the leading wicket-taker for Chattogram, claiming four wickets. Mohammad Rubel and Ahmed Sharif took two wickets apiece.
Chattogram made a promising start in reply, reaching 72 without losing a wicket by the close of play. Mahmudul Hasan Joy was unbeaten on 29, while Sadikur Rahman had scored 41.
Chattogram still required 211 runs to move ahead of Barishal’s first-innings total. The two unbeaten openers will be central to their efforts to close that gap when play resumes.
Mim’s 157 powers Rangpur to 370 for six
At the Sylhet Academy Ground, Rangpur Division finished the opening day on 370 for six against Mymensingh Division, thanks largely to a commanding innings from opener Mim Mosaddek.
Rangpur won the toss and elected to bat, but lost Anik Sarkar early. Mim then combined with Iqbal Hossain to put the innings back on track, with the pair sharing a second-wicket partnership of 208 runs.
Mim faced 212 balls and struck 23 boundaries on his way to 157. Iqbal provided valuable support with 78 before being dismissed, giving Rangpur a solid platform for a large first-innings total.
Abdullah Al Mamun continued the momentum with an aggressive 61 from 88 deliveries, hitting eight fours and one six. His innings helped Rangpur maintain the scoring rate after the departure of the second-wicket partnership.
Mim progressed through his half-century and century before reaching 150, but his innings ended in the final session when he was caught by the wicketkeeper off Azizul Hakim Roni’s bowling.
Akbar Ali added 30, while Chowdhury Rizwan and Alauddin Babu were unbeaten at the close. Rangpur had lost six wickets but remained well placed to add further runs on the second day.
Naim’s unbeaten 131 puts Dhaka in command
At the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Dhaka Division made a strong start against hosts Sylhet, closing the first day on 343 for two.
Opener Naim Sheikh was unbeaten on 131 after retiring hurt before the end of the day. His innings was particularly notable following a score of zero in the previous match, marking a strong response to that disappointment.
Earlier in the day, a delivery from pacer Tofayel struck Naim on the pads, prompting a strong appeal from Sylhet. The umpire turned it down, and Naim went on to produce a substantial innings that placed Dhaka in a commanding position.
Naim shared an opening partnership of 155 runs with Jisan Alam, who scored 81 before being dismissed. Alam missed a century by 19 runs, but his contribution gave Dhaka a firm foundation.
Marshall Ayub then helped sustain the momentum, scoring 80 from 111 balls, including 11 fours and a six. Mahidul Islam Ankon remained unbeaten on 32 alongside him at stumps.
Dhaka’s total of 343 for two leaves the visitors well placed to build a much larger first-innings score. Sylhet will need early wickets when play resumes if they are to prevent Dhaka from strengthening its position.
A productive opening day across four venues
The second round of the NCL began with outstanding individual performances across the country. Mim’s 157 and Naim’s unbeaten century highlighted the batting, while Mahedi’s six-wicket haul demonstrated the impact a disciplined spin attack can have in first-class cricket.
Moin’s 97 was another notable contribution, even though he narrowly missed a century. The opening-day results have left the four matches at different stages: Khulna are close to overtaking Rajshahi’s total, Chattogram have begun their reply against Barishal, Rangpur have built a strong score against Mymensingh, and Dhaka are well placed against Sylhet.
The second day will be important in determining whether the teams that finished strongly with the bat can turn those starts into decisive advantages, or whether their opponents can recover through early wickets and disciplined bowling.
