Rangpur doubles in National Cricket League by winning long version

Rangpur team is the champion of the long version.

Rangpur Division has secured the title of the long version of the National Cricket League (NCL). As a result, the team completed a great 'double' in domestic cricket this season. Earlier, Rangpur won the T20 title in domestic cricket last October.

Rangpur started the celebration of winning this title for the third time after the Sylhet Division match was drawn on Tuesday (December 9) at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi. The main foundation for securing the title was laid the previous day, when Rangpur defeated Khulna Division by 7 wickets in just three days. As a result, they reached the most advantageous position to win the long version title for the first time since the 2022-23 season.

Sylhet Division had no option but to win on the last day to retain the title. But chasing a tough target of 320 runs set by Barisal, they lost 5 wickets for 187 runs and the match ended in a draw. As a result, the title went to Rangpur. For Sylhet, Asadullah Al Ghalib remained unbeaten on 61 runs and the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim scored 53 runs.

Earlier, Barisal declared their second innings at 294/8 after starting the day at 212 runs for 4 wickets. Opener Iftekhar Hossain Ifti played a brilliant innings of 128 runs not out off 197 balls. This was his second first-class century of his career, which was studded with 11 fours and 4 sixes, which posed a huge challenge for Sylhet on the last day.

In the other game of the day, Rajshahi Division defeated Mymensingh Division by 146 runs at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. However, Mymensingh pacer Abu Haider Rony stole all the limelight from this match. Starting the day at 227/9, Ronnie played a career-best innings of 141 not out off just 127 balls, hitting 10 fours and 13 sixes. This was his second century in his first-class career.

However, man-of-the-match spinner Sanjamul Islam (5/88) dismissed Asadullah Hill Ghalib (9 runs) as the last wicket to seal Rajshahi's victory. The defeat handed Mymensingh their only defeat in their debut season.