<
>
Player of the Match
Player of the Match

Naeem helps Rajshahi hang on for draw

Dhaka division 280 (Mahmudullah 57, Reza 3-41) and 330 (Haque 118, Mehrab 116, Sajib 5-109) drew with Rajshahi division 314 (Naeem 112, Shahadat 5-82) and 240 for 6 (Junaid 86, Naeem 52*)
Scorecard

Rajshahi survived a couple of tricky situations to hold on for a draw against Dhaka in Mirpur, and win the National Cricket League final on first-innings lead. Rajshahi never showed any real intention of going after the 246 runs they needed to win on the fifth day, knowing a draw would be enough to give them the title. Their batsmen were in control for the majority of the day but there were two phases of play in which quick wickets fell. Naeem Islam, who scored a century in the first innings, held firm and Rajshahi finished on 240 for 6.

Dhaka needed to take ten wickets on the final day to win, and struck early with Shahadat Hossain removing Jahurul Islam when Rajshahi had only added eight runs to their overnight total of 51. Junaid Siddique remained steady though and at 127 for 1, Rajshahi were on course for the draw. A couple of quick wickets at that stage gave Dhaka a sniff of a chance. Left-arm spinner Elias Sunny removed Farhad Hossain for 32 and Mahmudullah struck three overs later, getting rid of Mushfiqur Rahim.

Junaid and Naeem built a 43-run partnership, but when Junaid was dismissed by Shahadat for 86, Dhaka pounced on the opening and took another quick wicket. At that stage, Rajshahi were 185 for 5, and Dhaka had around 30 overs in which to take five wickets. But Rajshahi's lower order had supported Naeem well in the first innings, and repeated the performance on the fifth day.

Naeem scored 52 not out, but more importantly faced 155 balls on Saturday. Khaled Mashud - who retired from first class cricket at the end of the match - survived 83 balls, and when he was dismissed by Mahmudullah in the 96th over, the draw was already secure.

  • Naeem helps Rajshahi hang on for draw

    Rajshahi survived a couple of tricky situations to hold on for a draw against Dhaka in Mirpur, and win the National Cricket League final on first-innings lead

  • Rajshahi begin briskly chasing 297

    Rajshahi Division need another 246 runs on Day 5, with 10 wickets in hand, to take the National Cricket League title

  • Naeem century gives Rajshahi edge

    Rajshahi rode on Naeem Islam's century and took a 34-run first innings lead before taking three wickets in Dhaka's second innings at the end of the third day

  • Ghosh, Naeem steady Rajshahi after rocky start

    A 106-run partnership between Naeem Islam and Dhiman Ghosh helped Rajshahi recover from the loss of early wickets

  • Dhaka spun out for 280

    After bowling out Dhaka Division for 280, Rajshahi Division played out the one over they had to manoeuvre at the end of Day 1, going to stumps with all wickets intact to set up an interesting second day of the National Cricket League final in Mirpur

Rajshahi DIV 4th innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st59Jahurul IslamJunaid Siddique
2nd68Junaid SiddiqueFarhad Hossain
3rd5Junaid SiddiqueMushfiqur Rahim
4th43Naeem IslamJunaid Siddique
5th10Naeem IslamDhiman Ghosh
6th34Khaled MashudNaeem Islam
7th21Naeem IslamFarhad Reza