Zakir ton keeps Sylhet alive on tough day for title contenders

Title contenders endured a difficult second day of the final round of the NCL, but Sylhet -- who began the round on top of the table -- managed to claw their way back against Barishal, thanks to a superb century from Zakir Hasan at the Rajshahi Division Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Barishal, also in the title race, were bowled out for 312 in the morning session, aided by a brisk 70-ball 68 from Sohag Gazi. Sylhet's reply started poorly as Amite Hasan and veteran Mushfiqur Rahim fell cheaply, leaving them struggling at 47 for four. Zakir, however, staged a recovery with a 113-run stand alongside Ashraful Hasan (41). The left-hander reached his hundred off 151 balls and remained unbeaten on 130 as Sylhet closed the day on 214 for 5, still trailing by 98 runs.

Second-placed Mymensingh also had a forgettable day. Resuming at 73 for 2 against Rajshahi at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, they collapsed to 137 all out before lunch, with Sunzamul Islam running through the innings for figures of five for 18. Rajshahi then solidified their position, reaching 210 for 6 at stumps to extend their overall lead to 292, thanks to steady knocks from Pritom Kumar and Rahim Ahmed, both of whom fell in the 40s.

Rangpur fought their way back into the title frame late in the day against fellow contenders Khulna at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogura. Khulna posted 308 in their first innings before pacer Sofor Ali's five for 78 helped bundle out Rangpur for 174 shortly after tea, giving Khulna a 134-run first-innings lead. But Rangpur's bowlers responded brilliantly, reducing Khulna to 41 for 5 at the close. Soumya Sarkar departed for a duck, while captain Mohammad Mithun was dismissed for 19 as Mukidul Islam Mugdho claimed two for 12 in a fiery four-over spell.

At Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka dented Chattogram's title hopes with a mountain of runs. After Anisul Islam's 186 on Day 1, Marshall Ayub added 165 and opener Ashikur Rahman returned from injury to complete an unbeaten hundred as Dhaka declared on a commanding 541 for 6. Ripon Mondol and Sumon Khan then tore through the top order, taking two and three wickets respectively, leaving Chattogram reeling at 94 for 6 at stumps -- still 447 runs behind and fading fast in the title race.