Winning was just a matter of time. Dhaka Division did not delay to match the score of 18 runs with 7 wickets in hand. They have made a good start in the National League (NCL) by easily defeating Sylhet Division on the stage set up by spinner Nazmul Islam Opu.
Saif Hasan's team lost to the hosts by 7 wickets in the first level match of the event at the Academy Ground of Sylhet International Stadium on Tuesday. The result of this match of the first round came in the first session of the third day.
Dhaka went down to play with 48 runs for 3 wickets on the previous day. Two unbeaten batsmen Rakibul Hasan and Taibur Rahman combined to reach the target in 2.5 overs. Rakibul made 15 off 32 balls with 3 fours and Taibur made 8 off 25 balls with 1 four.
Left-arm spinner Opu was the hero of Dhaka with his career best bowling in first-class cricket. He took 6 wickets for 23 runs in the first innings of Sylhet. The team was reduced to 67 runs in total. Batting for the second time, they were caught in the whirlpool of Opu. He got 4 wickets for 41 runs. In all, he took 10 wickets for 64 runs.
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Amit Hasan of Sylhet only could make some resistance, hitting 76 while opener Imtiaz Hossain made 43.
Dhaka will face Rangpur Division in the second round match on Sunday. And Alok Kapali's Sylhet will face against Khulna Division.
Earlier, the NCL was halted after two rounds but the league will be held afresh.
A total of eight teams-seven divisions and Dhaka Metro, are divided into two Tiers as per their standings in the last league. The Tiger-1 consists with defending champions Khulna Division, Dhaka, Rangpur and Sylhet while the Tier-2 involves Chattogram, Rajshahi, Dhaka Metro and Barishal.