Chittagong Division are poised for the title of the first ever National Cricket League with an impressive innings and 178 runs victory over Rajshahi Division at Rangpur Cricket Stadium Sunday.

After their sixth outright win in the league, star-studded Chittagong Division secured 26 points from eight matches while their nearest rivals Sylhet Division bagged only 14 points.

The three-day match was decided on the second day as Rajshahi Division showed devastating batting performance in both the innings.

Rajshahi were bundled out for 122 runs in their first innings in reply to Chittagong's mammoth 379 runs and dismissed for paltry 74 runs in the second innings.

Pakistani spinner Shahed Mahmood wrecked the Rajshahi first innings claiming five wickets for 45 runs in 13.4 overs while Enamul Haq Moni took two wickets for 27 runs in 12 overs.

In the second innings, Moni and Safiuddin Ahmed Babu played the key role to destroy the opposition batting line-up sharing six wickets.

Moni picked up three wickets conceding only a single run in six overs while Babu claimed three for 14 runs in the same number of overs. Zakir Hossain took two wickets for 11 runs also in 6 overs.

Earlier, resuming with overnight score of 335 runs for six wickets, Chittagong Division completed their quota of 100 overs making 379 for 9.

Azam Iqbal of Chittagong Division was adjudged man of the match for his 128 runs knock.

Brief Score:

Chittagong Division 1st Innings- 379/9 in 100 overs.

Rajshahi Division 1st Innings- 122/10 in 44.1 overs, Rafiqul 14, Tomal 23, Sanchoy 26, extras 24, Shahed Mahmodd 5/45, EH Moni 2/27, Zakir Hasan 1/12, SA Babu 1/21.

Rajshahi Division 2nd Innings- 74/10 in 23 overs, M Babu 26, extras 19, EH Moni 3/1, SA Babu 3/14, Zakir Hossain 2/11.

At Jessore Stadium, star-studded Dhaka Division took a huge 162-run first innings lead against Khulna Division on the second day of a three-day National Cricket League match Sunday.

Khulna Division, who scored paltry 118 runs in the first innings, were again struggling in their second innings losing four wickets for 67 runs in 43 overs at stumps.

Sajid Hasan and Al Amin were batting with 21 and 6 runs respectively.

Spinner Fahim Muntasir Sumit maintained his brilliant form picking up two wickets for 17 runs in 9 overs. He finished with a six-wicket haul in the first innings.

Aminul Islam Bulbul and Naimur Rahman Durjoy took one wicket each.

Earlier, a splendid 72-run ninth wicket partnership between Saiful Islam and Atiar Rahman guided Dhaka Division to reach 280 runs after resuming with overnight score of 92 for 3.

Veteran Saiful Islam made unbeaten 47 runs off 70 balls that featured four hits across the rope while Atiar added 37 off 65 balls with four boundaries.

Vice-captain Khaled Mahmud Sujon played a sparkling knock of 40 runs off 44 balls with five fours.

Leg-spinner Sheikh Salahuddin picked up five wickets for 76 runs in 33 overs while Jamaluddin Babu took two wickets for 59 runs in 14 overs.

Brief Score:

Khulna Division 1st Innings- 118/10 in 60.3 overs, Sajid 32, Selim 20, Mifizul 15, K Babu 15, Al Amin 19 n.o., extras 9, FM Sumit 6/29, Saiful 2/12.

Khulna Division 2nd Innings- 67/4 in 43 overs, Sajid 21 (batting), J Babu 18, Al Amin 6 (batting), extras 6, FM Sumit 2/17, AI Bulbul 1/0, NR Durjoy 1/9.

Dhaka Division 1st Innings-280/10 in 88 overs, SH Bidyut 32, JO Gulla 35, AS Rokon 21, FM Sumit 22, KM Sujon 40, Atiar 37, Saiful 47 n.o., extras 13, Salahuddin 5/76, J Babu 2/59.

Meanwhile, Sylhet Division need only 27 runs for an outright win against Barisal Division with eight wickets in hand after the second day of the three-day National Cricket League at Barisal Abdur Rab Serniabat Stadium Sunday.

At stumps, Sylhet Division were 19 for 2 in 12.5 overs chasing the winning target of 46 runs. Parvez was batting with 7 runs.

Resuming on the second day of the 3-day match with overnight score of 96 for 6, Sylhet Division scored 173 runs for all in 67.2 overs in their first innings.

Tail-enders of Sylhet showed excellent batting performance to take a handsome first innings lead, but innings highest 28 runs came from extras.

Hasibul Hossain Shanta and Neeyamur Rashid Rahul scored 25 runs each while Iqbal Hossain contributed 24 runs.

Sohel, who picked up four wickets on Saturday, completed his figure with 5 for 37 while Totam took two wickets for 42 runs.

Barisal Division, who scored 111 runs in the first innings, were bowled out for 108 runs in 45.5 overs in their second innings.

Shanta and Mohammed Rafique, who destroyed the Sylhet first innings, again bowled devastatingly to capture nine wickets.

Rafique picked up five wickets for 25 runs in 14.5 overs while Shanta claimed four wickets for 60 runs in 18 overs. Iqbal took one wicket for 14 runs.

Number eight batsman Sohel made team highest 24 runs while opener Manju added 21 runs.

Brief Score:

Barisal Division 1st Innings- 111/10 in 45.5 overs, Mofizur 26, extras 17, H Shanta 6/37, M Rafique 4/18.

Barisal Division 2nd Innings- 108/10 in 45.5 overs, Sohel 24 n.o., Manju 21, extras 9, M Rafique 5/25, H Shanta 4/60, Iqbal 1.14.

Sylhet Division 1st Innings- 173/10 in 67.2 overs, H Shanta 25, NR Rahul 25, Iqbal 24, extras 28, Sohel 5/37, Totam 2/42, Moin 1/27, Rahat 1/45.

Sylhet Division 2nd Innings- 19/2 in 12.5 overs, Parvez 7 (batting), M Rafique 6, Selim Shahed 4, extars 2, Sohel 1/0, Faruque 1/3.

© 1999