Rangpur close to NCL crown after crushing Khulna

Rangpur moved to the brink of reclaiming the National Cricket League title with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Khulna inside three days at the Shahid Chandu Stadium in Bogura on Monday.

The win, powered by Mukidul Islam’s five-wicket haul and a maiden first-class century from Iqbal Hosen, lifted Rangpur to the top of the standings with 31 points.

The championship trophy, which was previously held at Rajshahi, is now set to be taken to Bogura as Rangpur edge closer to lifting the title once again.

However, Rangpur must wait for the outcomes of the Sylhet–Barishal and Mymensingh–Rajshahi fixtures. If neither Sylhet nor Mymensingh—both struggling—manage to win, Rangpur will be confirmed champions.

The match swung dramatically after Rangpur were bowled out for 174 in their first innings, conceding a 134-run lead. But the bowlers sparked a remarkable fightback on the third morning. Khulna, resuming on 41-5, added only 45 more runs before collapsing for 96. Mukidul led the effort with figures of 5-22, dismantling the middle and lower order, supported by Shoriful Islam’s 3-47.

Chasing 231, Rangpur recovered from early trouble at 46-2. Iqbal anchored the innings superbly, striking nine fours and three sixes en route to an unbeaten 114—his first century in first-class cricket. Naeem Islam contributed 45, and Akbar Ali remained unbeaten on 32 as Rangpur completed the chase comfortably.

Chattogram’s title hopes faded sharply after a heavy innings-and-192-run defeat to Dhaka at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium—Dhaka’s first win of the season. Resuming on 94-6 in reply to Dhaka’s 541-6 declared, Chattogram were dismissed for 158. Irfan Shukkur top-scored with 43, while Ripon Mondol, Sumon Khan, and Salauddin Shakil each took three wickets to keep Dhaka in control.

Forced to follow on, Chattogram managed 191 in their second innings, thanks largely to number eight Hasan Murad, who struck a quickfire 52 off 32 balls. Nazmul Islam claimed 3-54, while Ripon and Sumon took two wickets apiece to secure the emphatic win.

In Sylhet, Rajshahi closed the day needing just one wicket for victory, with Mymensingh still 201 runs short of a massive 428-run target. Rajshahi’s second innings total of 345 was built around Shakhir Hossain’s 94 and a fluent 57 from Rahim Ahmed. Asadullah Hill Galib and Abu Hider took three wickets each for Mymensingh.

Mymensingh began the chase brightly with Naim Sheikh (50) and Mahfijul Islam adding 63 for the opening stand. But a collapse followed, losing six wickets for 38 runs before Abu Hider launched a lone counterattack. The left-hander remained unbeaten on 97, blasting nine sixes and six fours to keep the contest alive.

At the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium, Barishal built a 237-run lead over Sylhet, with six wickets still in hand. Iftekhar Hossain was unbeaten on 93 after Ruyel Miah’s 5-84 had earlier restricted Sylhet to 287. Veteran Shamsur Rahman scored 17 in his final first-class innings.