Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh: In an enthralling round of the National Cricket League (NCL), Barisal Division claimed a commanding six-wicket triumph over Dhaka Division at Cox’s Bazar International Stadium. The victory was orchestrated by captain Tanvir Islam, whose brilliant spin bowling proved decisive and earned him Man of the Match honours.
Dhaka, set a modest target of 102 runs in the second innings, struggled against Tanvir’s guile and precision. The visitors were bowled out for 169, with Tanvir taking 7 wickets for 64 runs, marking his eighth five-wicket haul in just 46 first-class matches and registering his second-best figures behind an 8/51 haul for Bangladesh Emerging in 2021. On the final day, Dhaka began at 124/5, added only 45 more runs in 22.2 overs, and succumbed to Tanvir’s deadly spin as he claimed the last five wickets to seal Barisal’s victory.
Barisal’s chase was anchored by Iftikhar Hossain, who remained unbeaten on 57, reaching the 1,000-run milestone in the tournament. He had already contributed 78 runs in the first innings, providing a robust platform for the chase and demonstrating remarkable consistency.
“Tanvir’s control and precision completely turned the match in our favour,” remarked a Barisal team official.
Meanwhile, the Khulna–Mymensingh fixture concluded in a draw after an absorbing contest. Mymensingh amassed 459/8 in their first innings, securing a 72-run lead, while Khulna responded with 140/5 before both sides settled for a stalemate. The spotlight shone on Al Amin Junior, who scored an unbeaten 102, his first century in seven seasons and fourth overall in first-class cricket. This innings also saw him surpass 3,000 career runs in his 70th match. He shared a crucial 149-run eighth-wicket partnership with Arif Ahmed (81), while opener Soumya Sarkar added 44 in the second innings after compiling 186 in the first.
Key Match Statistics:
| Match | Team | Innings | Runs | Wickets Lost | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barisal vs Dhaka | Barisal | 1st & 2nd | – | 4 | Won by 6 wickets |
| Dhaka | 2nd | 169 | All out | Lost | |
| Khulna vs Mymensingh | Mymensingh | 1st | 459 | 8 | Draw |
| Khulna | 2nd | 140 | 5 | Draw |
Barisal’s victory, underpinned by Tanvir Islam’s spin wizardry and Iftikhar Hossain’s batting milestone, coupled with Al Amin Junior’s stellar century for Khulna, ensured a thrilling weekend in the NCL, boosting both team confidence and individual form ahead of the forthcoming rounds.