A groin injury had kept Najmul Hossain from joining the Bangladesh team on their tour of the West Indies, where they played without their regular captain across the Test, ODI, and T20 series. While he couldn’t make the trip, Najmul made his return to competitive cricket in the National Cricket League (NCL) T20 tournament today, representing Rajshahi. After 35 days away, Najmul marked his comeback with a brilliant 80-run knock, though his team fell short against Barishal.
Barishal Secures First Win Against Rajshahi
Najmul had suffered the injury last month after scoring 76 runs in the second ODI against Afghanistan in Sharjah. Today, playing at the Sylhet Academy Ground, he smashed 80 off 54 balls, including 5 fours and 4 sixes. It was his first T20 fifty in 18 innings. Partnering with Habibur Rahman (47 off 33), the pair added 89 runs in 9.5 overs for the opening stand. Habibur hit five sixes, while Najmul was dismissed in the 19th over after anchoring Rajshahi to 184/5.
However, Barishal chased the target with ease, reaching 185/5 with three balls and five wickets to spare, securing their first win in three matches. Fazle Rabbi was the standout performer, scoring a match-winning 56 off 34 balls, with 3 fours and 3 sixes. Openers Abdul Mazid (53 off 39) and Iftikhar Hossain (35 off 24) laid a solid foundation with a 79-run partnership. Barishal needed 9 runs in the final over, and Moeen Khan sealed the win with a boundary in the first three deliveries.
Rangpur and Dhaka Mahanagar Extend Winning Streaks
In the afternoon, Rangpur secured their third consecutive win by chasing a modest target of 121 set by Sylhet. Rangpur’s Naeem Islam led the charge with an unbeaten 50 off 35 balls, guiding his team to a 5-wicket victory in just 15.4 overs. Earlier, Sylhet had stumbled to 71/6 before Tofayel Ahmed (51* off 38) and Abu Jayed (4*) added 49 runs for the seventh wicket to post 120.
Similarly, Dhaka Mahanagar claimed their third straight victory in a thrilling morning match against Khulna. Batting first, Dhaka scored 146/9 in 18 overs, with opener Imranuzzaman contributing 46 off 28 balls. In response, Khulna needed 18 runs in the final over but fell short by 6 runs, finishing at 140/8.
Chattogram’s Dominance Continues
Chattogram cruised to a second successive win by demolishing Dhaka Division by 10 wickets in the morning game at Sylhet International Stadium. Dhaka Division was bowled out for just 64 in 16.4 overs, with only Taibur Rahman (30 off 43) reaching double digits. Chattogram’s pacer Fahad Hossain claimed 4 wickets for just 11 runs, removing Dhaka’s top four batters.
Chasing the low target, Chattogram reached 65/0 in just 11 overs. Mahmudul Hasan remained unbeaten on 44 off 37 balls, while Tamim Iqbal added 21 off 29 to complete the comfortable win.
Key Performances of the Day:
- Najmul Hossain: 80 off 54 in his comeback game.
- Fazle Rabbi: Match-winning 56 off 34 for Barishal.
- Naeem Islam: Unbeaten 50 off 35, leading Rangpur to victory.
- Fahad Hossain: 4/11 for Chattogram, dismantling Dhaka Division.
