Milestone-filled day in NCL as Soumya, Marshall, Shuvagata shine

It was an eventful start to the fifth round of National Cricket League matches across different venues on Saturday. Soumya Sarker notched up his career-best first-class score, domestic veteran Marshall Ayub etched his name into the 10,000-run club, and Shuvagata Hom matched Shakib Al Hasan in rare feat.  

At the Khulna Divisional Stadium, Khulna Division opener Soumya struck his first first-class century in four years, hammering a career-best 186 against Mymensingh Division. The left-handed batter's sixth first-class hundred came in his 96th match, surpassing his previous best of 150 for Central Zone against South Zone in the 2021 Bangladesh Cricket League.

Soumya's commanding 222-ball innings featured 24 fours and five sixes, and helped Khulna post 328-6 in 81 overs on a day that ended early. His knock was the centrepiece of a 230-run second-wicket stand with Kalam Siddiki, who made 77.

Soumya was trapped lbw by Shuvagata Hom, who reached 300 first-class wickets. By doing so, he became only the second Bangladesh player -- after Shakib Al Hasan -- to achieve the rare double of 6,000 runs and 300 wickets in first-class cricket.

Marshall Ayub became only the fourth Bangladesh player to reach 10,000 runs in first-class cricket, joining Tushar Imran, Naeem Islam, and Mominul Haque, as the Dhaka Division veteran marked the milestone with an unbeaten century on in Cox's Bazar today. The 36-year-old, who has represented Bangladesh in three Tests, brought up the landmark when he was on 42, during what is his 174th first-class appearance. Marshall went on to finish the day on 118 not out, his 28th first-class hundred, guiding Dhaka to 246-7 in 80.5 overs.

Dhaka had slipped to 18-3 before Marshall rebuilt the innings through a crucial 135-run stand with Ashikur Rahman Shibli, who contributed the side's second-highest score of 64.

At the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium, Rajshahi Division were bundled out for 268, thanks largely to Rangpur Division pacer Mukidul Islam, who claimed 5-42 -- his fifth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.

Rajshahi captain Sabbir Hossain top-scored with an aggressive 84 off 72 balls, while Rahim Ahmed added a valuable 77 from No. 8. Rangpur closed the day in control at 37 without loss.

At the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogura, Chattogram Division pacer Ifran Hossain bagged his sixth first-class five-wicket haul, returning 5-65 as Sylhet Division were dismissed for 255 in Bogura.

Sylhet captain Zakir Hasan made 73, while pacer Rejaur Rahman Raja struck an unbeaten 57 to lift the total. Chattogram ended the day on 13-1.