Rakibul eight-for hands Metro 2nd straight victory in NCL

Left-arm spinner Rakibul Hasan claimed 8-56 as Dhaka Metro secured its second straight victory in the 26th National Cricket League (NCL), thrashing Rajshahi Division by 10 wickets at BKSP-4 ground today. Metro completed the victory inside two days after Rakibul sliced through the batting line up with a gem of spin bowling.

He helped the side bowl out Rajshahi for just 166 in the second innings, giving Metro only 11 to chase for the victory. Metro completed the inevitable in 2.1 overs, reaching 14 for no loss. Anisul Islam was 13 not out with Gazi Tahzibul Islam on 1. Rajshahi's defeat looked imminent when they were skittled out for just 77 runs in the first innings, with Maruf Mridha claiming 6-22. Rakibul, however, didn't need to bowl in this innings.

Resuming the Day 2 at 138-5, Metro were bowled out for 233, taking a mammoth 156-run lead with Shamsur Rahman Shuvo making highest 64.Abu Haider Rony slammed 43 not out, smashing three fours and as many sixes. Left-arm spinner Sunzamul Islam who held the best bowling figure in an innings for Bangladeshi bowler in first class cricket with 9-80, took 3-56 for Rajshahi in Metro's first innings.

Sunzamul then saw his record in danger of being broken by youngster Rakibul. But to the dismay of Rakibul, one batter was run out when he ran riot on Rajshahi batters. But Rajshahi made a rapid start with Sabbir Hossain plundering Metro bowlers all corner of the park. He and Tanzid Hasan Tamim combined for 101-run for the opening stand before Rakibul broke through by dismissing Sabbir who blasted 56 ball-78 with three fours and eight sixes.

In just next over, Ashraful Islam Siam trapped Tanzid leg-before for 21. Rakibul then triggered a collapse as Rajshahi lost the rest of the eight wickets for just 65 runs. If the No.7 batter Shakhir Hossain Shurvo was not trapped run out, there was a chance that Rakibul could have finished with nine wickets at a better economy rate than Sunzamul.