An outright victory over Dhaka in the ongoing final round assured their league crown. They have a good chance to be the champions in case of a draw as they are dominating the Tier -1 points table by a good margin.
Earlier, Sylhet Division emerged Tier-2 champions to earn promotion in the Tier-1 of the National Cricket League (NCL) with a convincing nine–wicket victory over Chattogram Division on the very 2nd day of the four-day affairs at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogura on Sunday. The match featured 13 wickets haul by 18-year-old rookie left arm pace bowler Ruyel Miah
In day’s Tier-1 League, replying to Dhaka Division’s first innings total 279 runs, league leader Khulna Division resumed the first innings with overnight total 252 for 3 and finally piled up 379 runs for all in 128 overs to take just 100-run lead in the first innings.
Former national cricketer Tushar Imran, pairing with Nurul Hasan, contributed 143 runs in the 4th wicket stand to carry the team total to 274 runs from 131.
Captain Nurul Hasan, who was on batting with 56 runs, hammered a century scoring an unbeaten 150 off 227 balls featuring 13 fours and seven sixes. Another overnight batsman Tushar Imran (75) contributed 82 runs off 153 deliveries with 10 hits to the fence while Nahidul Islam added 49-ball 16 runs.
Shuvagata Hom, who grabbed two wickets for 25 runs on day-2, finally picked up five wickets for 46 runs and Nazmul Islam took two for 114 runs.
In reply, Dhaka Division opened the 2nd innings and scored 102 runs for 5 in 44 overs to take an overall two runs lead with two down Raqibul Hasan scoring not out 39 and Shuvagata Hom 42 runs.
Ziaur Rahman grabbed three wickets conceding 23 runs.
Brief score: Dhaka Division 1st innings: 279 all out in 93.1 overs; Taibur 110, Mazid 66, Shuvagata 60, Abdul Halim 5/27, Ziaur 4/24
2nd innings: 102 for 5 in 44 overs; Raqibul Hassan bot out 39, Shuvagata Hom 40, Ziaur Rahman 3/23.
Khulna Division 1st innings: 379 all out in 128 overs (overnight 252 for 3 in 84 overs), Nurul Hasan not out 150, Tushar Imran 82, Anamul Haque 50, Robiul Islam 45, Ajit Majumder 21, Nahidul Islam 16, Shuvagata Hom 5/46, Nazmul Islam 2/114.
Rangpur Division vs Rajshahi Division:
In the other Tier-1 match, Rangpur are leading by 248 runs with four wickets in hand against Rajshahi at Shaheed Kamaruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi.
Resuming their overnight total of 224 for five in 77 overs, Rajshahi ended their first innings at 254/10 in 86.2 overs. Farhad Hossain posted 75, Avishek Mitra scored 67 and Junaid Siddique scored 37.
Right-handed all-rounder Ariful Haque bagged six wickets conceding 41 runs while Sajedul Islam took two wickets.
In reply, Rangpur Division scored 228 for 6 in 61 overs when bails were drawn for the 3rd day (Monday). They faced initial batting collapse losing the first wicket in the very first ball of the innings, but an unbeaten 72 by Tanbir Hyder and 48 run by Ariful guided the team toward a good total.
Delwar Hossain took four wickets conceding 73 runs while Muktar Ali took two wickets.
Brief score: Rangpur first innings 274/10 in 89.4 overs, Sohrawordi 105, Ariful 57, Delwar 4/59, Mohor 3/53
Rajshahi first innings 254/10 in 86.2 overs (overnight 224 for 5), Avishek 67, Farhad 75, Ariful 6/41, Sajedul 2/59
Rangpur second innings 228/6 in 61 overs, Tanbir 72*, Ariful 48, Jahid Jabed 33, Delwar 4/73, Mukter 2/44
Barishal Division vs Dhaka Metro:
Barishal Division are trailing by 22 runs with seven wickets in hand against Dhaka Metro in Barishal.
Resuming the overnight total of 225 for two in 69 overs, Dhaka Metro ended their first innings for 466/10 in 140.3 overs.
Shamsur Rahman (103) and Marshal Ayub (109) hit tons for Dhaka while Al Amin posted 92 and Zabid Hossain scored 62*.
Sohag Gazi took three wickets for 98 runs in 31.3 overs while Monir Hossain bagged two conceding 128 runs.
In reply, Barishal scored 30 runs for three wickets in 16 overs. Fazle Mahmud remained unbeaten at 19.
Arafat Sunny bagged two wickets conceding 10 runs while Taskin Ahmed took one.
Brief score: Barishal first innings 414/10 in 108.2 overs (overnight 338 for 6), Fazle Mahmud 141, Moin 75, Salman 72, Taskin 4/67, Asif 3/106
Dhaka Metro first innings 466/10 in 140.3 overs, Shamsur 103, Marshal 109, Al Amin 92, Gazi 3/98, Fazle 2/26
Barishal second innings 30/3 in 16 overs, Nafees 9, Fazle 19*, Arafat 2/10, Taskin 1/8