Tanvir takes five; Soumya, Naim miss out on tons

Barishal captain Tanvir Islam claimed a five-wicket haul, while Soumya Sarkar and Mohammad Naim both fell short of centuries as Day 2 of the third round of the National Cricket League saw evenly-poised contests across venues on Sunday.

At the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna, left-arm spinner Tanvir returned figures of 5-102 to help Barishal Division bundle out Rajshahi Division for 235 in their first innings. Despite conceding a 23-run lead, Barishal closed the day, reaching 22-1 to reduce the deficit to just one run.

Rajshahi, resuming on 6 for no loss, were rocked early and slipped to 65-5. Pritom Kumar (65) and Sunjamul Islam (38) stabilised the innings with a 76-run stand for the sixth wicket before both fell in quick succession. The lower order then rescued Rajshahi again as No.10 Ali Mohammad Walid remained unbeaten on 45, while Nihad Uzzaman added 27.

In Chattogram, Soumya Sarkar became the latest batter to miss out on a ton after Chattogram Division's Shah Paran and Amite Hasan of Sylhet Division had done the same on the opening day. Soumya was dismissed for 92 as Khulna Division slumped to 249-8 in reply to Chattogram Division's 351. Veteran Ziaur Rahman was unbeaten on 55 at Stumps. Mehedi Hasan did the damage with figures of 4-55 and remains on the verge of a fifer. Earlier, Chattogram added just 11 runs to their overnight total of 340-8, with Khulna pacer Sofor Ali completing a five-wicket haul, finishing with 5-55.

At the Cox's Bazar International Stadium, Sylhet were bowled out for 199 after resuming on 172-7. Rangpur struggled in response, ending the day on 187-8. Sylhet pacer Abu Jayed Rahi led the damage with 4 wickets as Rangpur slumped to 44-5, and later 67-6. Skipper Tanvir Haider (49) stood firm with the tail after Nasir Hossain 21-run resistance to keep Rangpur in the contest.

At the Cox's Bazar Academy ground, opener Mohammad Naim fell for 90 as Mymensingh Division got skittled out for 336, having begun the day on 100-2. Lower-order batter Shohidul Islam playing a spirited innings of 79 at No. 9, striking five sixes and three fours, adding 75 for the ninth wicket with Arif Ahmed (31). Dhaka pacer Salauddin Shakil impressed with 4-45. Dhaka replied cautiously, finishing on 17 without loss.