Sadikur century, Shibli 99 in thrilling NCL round

Chattogram pulled off a thrilling one-wicket victory over Sylhet in the fifth round of the National Cricket League (NCL), riding on Sadikur Rahman’s 100-run century and a brave last-wicket stand at the Chattogram venue.

The hosts looked in danger of defeat after losing eight wickets on the final day while chasing a target of 227. But Sadikur held firm at one end before Sanjit struck the winning boundary with the last wicket still intact.

Chattogram had resumed on 126-1 on the third day, needing another 101 runs for victory. However, Nasum Ahmed and Shahanur struck regularly to put the hosts under pressure.

Sadikur, unbeaten on 58 overnight, continued to fight and brought up his seventh first-class century. He reached the landmark off 208 balls, hitting nine boundaries.

His resistance ended when he was caught at deep midwicket off Nasum, leaving Chattogram needing 17 runs with only one wicket remaining. Sanjit, however, kept his nerve and sealed the victory with a boundary over long-off, with Shahanur at the other end. Nasum finished with nine wickets for 148 runs in the match.

At Khulna Divisional Stadium, the hosts beat Mymensingh by eight wickets after taking a decisive 180-run first-innings lead. Khulna chased down a target of 140 in the fourth innings with two wickets in hand, thanks to an unbeaten 80 from Anamul Haque Bijoy.

Rangpur secured a six-wicket victory over Rajshahi in Bogura after capitalising on their opponents’ batting collapse. Rajshahi, who resumed the final day on 110-3, managed only 74 more runs before being bowled out for 184 in their second innings.

Rangpur comfortably chased the 160-run target, with Mosaddek’s 61 guiding them to victory.

The only drawn match of the fifth round came in Rajshahi, where rain had washed out the first two days. The final day produced two near-centuries, with Barishal’s Md Abdullah dismissed for 94 and Dhaka’s Ashiqur Rahman Shibli falling just one run short of a hundred.

Shibli was caught at deep extra cover off Tanvir Islam on 99 while Dhaka were closing in on victory. Dhaka leg-spinner Aminul Islam Biplob and Barishal left-arm spinner Tanvir claimed three wickets each, conceding 63 and 86 runs, respectively.