Chattogram clinch successive wins; Babu fifer propels Rangpur to first win

Chattogram Division clinched their second successive victory in the ongoing National Cricket League (NCL) T20, beating Rajshahi Division by 30 runs in their third-round match at the Sylhet Outer Stadium on Monday.

Sent in to bat first, Chattogram posted 155-6 in 20 overs, thanks to 45-run knocks from Mominul Haque and Shahadat Hossain Dipu. S M Meherob Hossain and Asaduzzaman Payel grabbed two wickets each for Rajshahi.

In reply, Rajshahi lost opener Habibur Rahman Sohan (eight) in the first over bowled by off-spinner Md Rubel, before Najmul Hossain Shanto (21) and Sabbir Hossain (21) shared a 46-run stand for the second wicket.

However, after both batters' dismissal in a span of three deliveries, Rajshahi failed to build any decent partnership and lost wickets at regular intervals, eventually being restricted to 125 for eight and suffering their second defeat in three matches.

Rubel was awarded man of the match for his bowling figures of 3-24.

Meanwhile, in the day's opening fixture, Rangpur registered their first win, handing a six-wicket defeat to Barishal at the same venue.

Rangpur's pace-bowling all-rounder Alauddin Babu was the star of the show, claiming 5-16 in 3.3 overs, while Nasir Hossain chipped in with two wickets to bowl Barishal out for just 106 runs in 19.3 overs after they had elected to bat first.

For Barishal, Fazle Mahmud made a team-high 27 off 25 balls, while Zahiduzzaman Khan contributed an unbeaten 22 off 18 deliveries.

Rangpur opener Anik Sarker then struck an unbeaten 54 off 35 balls, while Abdullah Al Mamun scored 24 off 18 as the reigning champions reached 109 for four in just 13.3 overs, keeping Barishal at the bottom of the eight-team points table. Barishal's left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam finished with 3-27 in his four overs.

In Tuesday's fixtures, Sylhet will take on Dhaka Metro, while Dhaka will face Rajshahi, both at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.