Sylhet Division secured their inaugural National Cricket League (NCL) title by defeating Barishal Division by five wickets in their sixth-round encounter at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Chasing a modest target of 105 runs on the final day, Sylhet found themselves in early trouble, losing three quick wickets for just 27 runs. However, the in-form captain Amite Hasan and Nasum Ahmed steadied the ship with a crucial 77-run partnership for the fourth wicket, bringing the scores level.
Nasum contributed a brisk 44 off 52 balls before he and Asadulla Al Galib (0) were dismissed in the same over. Nevertheless, Amite, remaining unbeaten on 38, struck the winning run, guiding his team to their first-ever NCL title with one match still to play.
This victory propels Sylhet to 37 points, a significant 12 points clear of second-placed Dhaka Division.
According to the tournament regulations, a team can earn a maximum of nine points from a single fixture – eight points for a win, with an additional point awarded if the victory is achieved by a margin of 10 wickets or an innings.
On Day 3, pacers Khaled Ahmed (4-18) and Tofael Ahmed (3-17) were instrumental, sharing seven wickets between them. They were ably supported by left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed, who claimed two wickets to reach a milestone of 150 wickets in first-class cricket, as Barishal were bowled out for 142.
Earlier, Tofael (64) and Rejaur Rahman Raja (35) had shared a vital 94-run partnership for the eighth wicket, helping Sylhet to post a first-innings total of 342 and secure a 38-run lead.
Meanwhile, at the other venue in Sylhet, Khulna Division triumphed over Chattogram Division by 58 runs on the final day.
Khulna pacer Al-Amin Hossain was the standout performer with the ball, claiming 5-67, while Mehedi Hasan Rana, who had taken a five-wicket haul in the first innings, finished with 3-36. Their efforts ensured Chattogram were bowled out for 145, having resumed the day on 118-7.
