Rajshahi, aided by a brilliant century from Nayan, stormed into the Thakurgaon Zone final of the 24th national cricket championship defeating Kurigram by 219 runs yesterday.

Nayan scored 101 off 168 ball as Rajshahi, batting first piled up 247 before being all out in 67 overs. It was the second ton of the championship after Babu's dazzling 103 for Narsingdi on Saturday, the inaugural day of the meet.

But the two-day match turned into a lop-sided affair when Kurigram, in their chase, lasted only 11 overs before being bundled out for a meagre 28.

Sayeed with a five wicket haul did most of the damage in the vulnerable Kurigram batting line-up while Saad captured three wickets for 13 runs.

Rajshahi will now have to wait for the outcome of the Rangpur and Dinajpur match to know their opponents in the three-day final, starting at Thakurgaon Stadium on May 10.

Meanwhile, in other match of the day at Satkhira, Khulna, sent into bat by Barisal, amassed a commanding total of 269 before being all out in 78.4 overs.

Tapan top-scored with a defiant 63 off 153 balls punctuated with eight fours, Mintu hammered a quartet of fours and a sixer in his 100-ball 56. But the real thrust in the Khulna innings was provided by Paltu and Milton. Paltu scored a quick-fire 39 off 41 balls laced with three fours and two sixes. Milton scored 23 off only 22 balls which included two towering sixes and a boundary.

For Barisal, Totam captured four wicket for 52 runs. Moni with three for 41 and Shamim, who claimed two wicket for 19 runs, were the other notable wicket-taker for Barisal.

Set to score a little less than 3.5 runs per over, Barisal will begin their chase today.

NSC, Siemens sign agreement

Sports Reporter

The National Sports Council (NSC) yesterday signed an agreement with Siemens Bangladesh Limited for the supply, installation and commissioning of the new floodlighting system at the Bangabandhu National Stadium for the forthcoming Wills International Cup cricket tournament to be held in October.

Nurul Haque Pradhan, director, Planning and Development, signed the agreement on behalf of the NSC while Soeren Rendal and Feroze Ahmed, managing director and general manager of Siemens Bangladesh Limited, respectively signed on behalf of the German company.

According to the agreement, the lighting system will be installed on four new lattice towers within 150 days.

But Pradhan said last night over telephone that the Letter of Intent for the work has already been issued on May 30 from when the days will be counted.

``We have completed the formality today. But because of the time constraint, the Letter of Intent has been issued last week,'' he added.