In a rain reduced 60-over-a-side affair which began on Friday afternoon, Tangail mustered 200 before they were all out in the final over with Nirmal contributing highest 58. Islam Khan chipped in with 48.

Nishan was the most successful Kushtia bowler capturing three wickets for 29 runs while Ahmed Kamal and Tito took two wickets each.

In reply, Kushtia were all out for 197 in the face of some inspirational bowling from Avijit and Ripon.

Avijit bagged four wickets conceding 30 runs while Ripon gave away 47 runs for his three wickets.

The winners will now have to wait for the outcome of the second semifinal between Satkhira and Nawabganj which begins at the same venue today.

In the day's other match, Mymensingh booked a berth in the Dhaka zonal semifinal with a six-wicket victory over Gaibandha at the Dhaka Stadium.

Chasing a manageable Gaibandha total of 114 in 40 overs, the winners reached 116 in 23.5 overs with six wickets in hand.

Sumon was unbeaten on 33 while Mohammad (32) and Moni (26) were the other notable batsmen for Mymensingh.

In the two-day semifinal which starts tomorrow at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium, Mymensingh will meet Manikganj.

Schools cricket Three move into next round

Sports Reporter

Maple Leaf International, Wills Little Flower and Rahmatullah High moved into the second phase of the 16th national schools cricket championship Dhaka zonal qualifiers winning their respective group finals played at different city venues yesterday.

At the Uttara Friend's Club ground, Maple Leaf thrashed Ahmed Bawani Academy by 128 runs in the Group Four final.

Sent into bat, Maple Leaf scored a commanding total of 202 for eight in the stipulated 35 overs with Shahed hammering highest 53. Sumon (33 not out) and Mohammad (32) were the other notable run getters.

In reply, Ahmed Bawani Academy were shot out for a meagre 74 in 27.2 overs.

Nafis, the wrecker-in-chief, finished with three for 12 while Salman, Akhtaruzzaman and Ali Bashar evenly shared six wickets among themselves.

Away at the Mirpur Outer Stadium, Wills Little Flower handed Mastermind a crushing 92-run defeat in the Group Six final.

Mamun scored 97 runs as Wills Little Flower, electing to bat first after winning the toss, piled up a huge 235 for five in the allotted 35 overs.

Mamun apart, Badrul chipped in with 55 while bunty added 17.

In reply, Mastermind could manage only 143 before they were all out in 32 overs with Tashim scoring highest 32.

In the remaining match of the day, Group Three final, Rahmatullah registered a five-wicket win over Dhanmondi International.

Chasing a paltry Dhanmondi total of 148 in 35 overs, Javed Kabir notched an unbeaten 54 as Rahmatullah went on to make 149 in 27 overs with five wickets to spare.