Amit nears double ton as Dhaka close on innings win

Dhaka moved closer to an innings victory over Rajshahi in the National Cricket League (NCL), while Amit Hasan closed in on a double century for Sylhet as three batters scored hundreds on the third day of the fourth round.

Sylhet strengthened their position at Cox’s Bazar Academy Ground, reaching 575-4 in their first innings.

Overnight batter Zakir Hasan, unbeaten on 160, had been eyeing his 17th first-class century and a double hundred. However, he lasted only four balls on the third day before being bowled by Mehedi Hasan Rana without adding to his score.

Amit took up the charge, ending the day unbeaten on 171 off 296 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes. At the other end, Ashraful Hasan Rihad was 101 not out, having struck 13 fours in his 200-ball innings to register his second first-class century.

At Sylhet Academy Ground, Barishal secured a 36-run first-innings lead over Rangpur’s 412. Fazle Mahmud struck his 11th first-class century, scoring 124 off 200 balls with 15 fours and four sixes. The 38-year-old also crossed the 7,000-run mark in first-class cricket.

At Shaheed Chandu Stadium, Chattogram reached 424-6 in reply to Mymensingh’s declared 465-7. Shahadat Hossain Dipu narrowly missed his fifth first-class century, falling for 95 off 188 balls, five runs short after being trapped lbw by Yasin Arafat Mishu.

In Rajshahi, the hosts were fighting to avoid an innings defeat. After being bowled out for 162 in reply to Dhaka’s 521 and forced to follow on, Rajshahi reached 215-5 by stumps. They still needed 144 runs to avoid an innings defeat.