Six for Mahedi, tons for Naim and Mim on day one of NCL round two

Off-spinner Mahedi Hasan took six wickets, Naim Sheikh struck a century and Mim Mosaddek made 157 as the second round of the National Cricket League opened on Saturday, with bat and ball both producing standout performances across four venues.

At the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Rajshahi were bowled out for 119 after being sent in. Khulna replied with 108 for one at stumps, trailing by only 11 runs, leaving them firmly on top after day one.

Sofor Ali set the tone by dismissing Habibur Rahman Sohan and Naim Ahmed for ducks in his first two overs. Sabbir Hossain and captain Pritom Kumar added 24 before Mahedi removed Pritom for 15 off 15 balls.

Mahedi then tore through the rest of the order, taking Meherob Hasan, Shakhir Hossain Shuvro, Sanjamul Islam, Sabbir and Nihaduzzaman. He finished with six for 48 in 14 overs, his 10th first-class five-wicket haul. Sabbir top scored with 36, while Meherob made 21.

In Sylhet, Dhaka reached 343 for two against the home side after choosing to bat. Naim and Jishan Alam shared a 155-run opening stand, with Jishan falling for 81 off 132 balls.

Naim, the left-handed opener, carried on with 11 fours and three sixes in his 131 off 215 balls, his fifth first-class century, before retiring hurt. Marshall Ayub was unbeaten on 80, with captain Mahidul Islam on 32.

At the Sylhet Academy Ground, Rangpur opener Mim hit 23 fours in his 157 off 212 balls, finally caught by Abdul Majid off Ajijul Hakim Rony. Rangpur closed on 370 for six against Mymensingh.

Mim and Iqbal Hossain, who made 78, put together a commanding 208 for the second wicket. Abdullah Al Mamun added a further 68, giving Rangpur a formidable platform to build on when play resumes.

At the Cox’s Bazar Academy Ground, Barishal were bowled out for 282 after batting first against Chattogram, with Moin Khan top scoring on 97. Left-arm spinner Hasan Murad took four wickets, while Ahmed Sharif and MD Rubel claimed two each.

Chattogram responded strongly, reaching 72 without loss at stumps, 210 runs behind. Openers Mahmudul Hasan Joy, on 29, and Sadikur Rahman, on 41, both scored centuries in round one and will resume on Sunday.