Khulna and Barishal secured victories in the third round, while the other two matches ended in draws. In Khulna’s 2-wicket win, Mehedi Hasan and Soumya Sarkar emerged as the stars of the match. Meanwhile, Tanvir Islam led Barishal to a comprehensive win, marking his first victory as captain.
Mehedi & Soumya Propel Khulna to Victory
Chasing a target of 237 runs, Khulna began the final day at 52/0. However, they were pushed to the brink, ultimately defeating the hosts, Chattogram, by 2 wickets. The match could have gone the other way had Mehedi Hasan not played a crucial role in holding the innings together.
At one point, Khulna had lost 6 wickets for just 149 runs. Mehedi, coming in to bat, remained unbeaten on 50 from just 49 balls to guide his team home. After his arrival, Khulna added 20 more runs before the departure of Ziaur Rahman, who had scored a half-century in the first innings. Mehedi then formed a valuable 57-run partnership with Nahidul Islam for the eighth wicket.
Chattogram’s off-spinner Naeem Hasan picked up 5 wickets in the innings, but Khulna’s resilient chase, spearheaded by Mehedi’s all-round performance, ensured the win. However, the player of the match was Soumya Sarkar. The opener, who had scored 92 runs in the first innings, followed it up with a composed 71 in the second innings. Soumya also made a mark with the ball, taking 1 wicket in Chattogram’s second innings. With this win, Khulna, who have now won two out of three matches, top the points table.
Tanvir Islam’s Leadership Shines in Barishal’s Victory
In his first outing as Barishal’s captain, Tanvir Islam led the team to a 54-run victory over Rajshahi in Khulna. The left-arm spinner not only captained the side to victory but also earned the player of the match award for his exceptional bowling performance, taking 9 wickets across both innings.
Chasing 246 runs, Rajshahi began the final day on 5/0. They were bowled out for 191 in the final hour of play. Tanvir finished the game by dismissing Ali Mohammad Walid, claiming his fourth wicket of the innings. Tanvir had already taken 5 wickets in the first innings, while Barishal’s pace bowler Yasin Arafat also contributed significantly, claiming 4 wickets in Rajshahi’s second innings. Rajshahi’s top scorers were their captain Sabbir Hossain and Rahim Ahmed, both of whom made 33 runs.
Drawn Matches: Mubin’s Century Lights Up the Rangsit-Sylhet Game
The match between Rangpur and Sylhet at Cox’s Bazar International Stadium ended in a draw. Sylhet, who started the day at 173/5, declared their innings at 294/9, setting Rangpur a target of 249 runs. With almost 48 overs remaining, Rangpur did not attempt to chase the target. After 41 overs, they had reached 112/4, and both teams agreed to a draw.
Mubin Ahmed, the Sylhet opener, was the star of the match, scoring 141 runs. This was his first century in first-class cricket, in just his sixth match. At only 19 years old, Mubin’s performance has been a bright spark for Sylhet, showcasing the emergence of a new talent for the team.
Drawn Match: Dhaka vs. Mymensingh
The match between Dhaka and Mymensingh at Cox’s Bazar Academy Ground also ended in a draw. Dhaka’s first innings concluded just before the tea break on the final day, and Mymensingh responded by scoring 97/0 in 17 overs, ultimately agreeing to a draw.
Dhaka’s first innings was halted at 388 runs, with Anisul Islam being the highest scorer, remaining unbeaten on 79. The opening partnership between Joyraj Sheikh (77) and Marshall Ayub (72) provided a solid foundation for Dhaka’s total.