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Nat'l championship on Babu hits first hundred

Sports Reporter

May 03, 1998


The qualifying round of the 24th national cricket championship got underway at different venues across the country on Friday.

Although four matches were decided on the inaugural day, seasonal rain was quick enough to intrude on the smooth progress, spoiling a couple of matches on the second day yesterday.

Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Khulna and Narsingdi sailed smoothly, eliminating their respective opponents by flattering margins on Friday.

At Patuakhali, Narsingdi rode on to a brilliant century from Babu to eliminate Gopalganj by 53 runs.

Electing to use the wicket first after winning the toss in the morning, Narsingdi rattled up a fighting total of 224 for eight in the stipulated 50 overs with Babu scoring 103, the first ton of the championship.

In reply, Gopalganj were all out for 171 in 44.4 overs with Raquibul notching highest 41 runs for the losers.

Rajshahi, appearing in the Thakurgaon zone opener, recorded a huge 216 runs win over a lowly Lalmonirhat. Batting first, the cricketers of the northern divisional headquarters, piled up a mammoth total of 314 for nine in the stipulated 50 overs.

Rokon scored a swashbuckling 76, Dola smashed a cracking unbeaten 76 and Sanchay chipped in with a 55.

In reply, Lalmonirhat were bundled out for a meagre 98 in 27.3 overs in the face of some inspired bowling from the Rajshahi new-ball duo of Babu and Dola. Together they evenly shared four wickets to destroy the Lalmonirhat top order.

At Bogra, Chapainawabganj scored a seven-wicket win over Thakurgaon. In a low-scoring affair, Chapainawabganj, chasing a modest Thakurgaon total of 108 all out in a reduced 45-over-a-side match, rattled up 112 for the loss of three wickets in 27.1 overs with Rumi scoring highest 29 and Sumon making an unbeaten 21.

Earlier, Rumi with a three-wicket burst, returned as the wrecker-in-chief among the Chapainawabganj bowlers.

At Satkhira, Khulna defeated Jhenidah by 150 runs. Batting first, the port city outfit piled up an imposing total of 258 for seven in their share of 50 overs.

Milton top-scored with 44, Riad made 42 and Salahuddin remained unbeaten on a quick-fire 36.

Jhenidah, in their chase, could muster only 108 before being all out in 26.2 overs. Bijon, who had earlier, captured three wickets for 24 runs, scored highest 23 for the vanquished. For Khulna Potlu and Month evenly shared six wickets in between them.

Meanwhile, after an eventful Day One of the championship, only two matches were played on yesterday.

At Bogra, the match between Pabna and Nilphamari was washed out due to rain. While at Thakurgaon, Kurigram got walk-over against Sirajganj as the later failed to turn up in the ground.

In a rain affected match at the Patuakhali, Pirojpur prevailed over Madaripur by 12 runs. Thanks to a brilliant all-round performance by Jashim.

Sent into bat in the morning, Pirojpur made 171 before being all out in 42.1 overs with Jashim notching highest 41.

Madaripur, who were given a revised target of 155 in 40 overs, could manage 143 before being all out in 37.3 overs in the face of some fired-up bowling from Jashim, who claimed four-wicket for only 24 runs.

At Satkhira, Barisal recorded a comprehensive 40 runs win over Meherpur. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Barisal amassed 225 for nine in 45 overs.

Moin scored a polished 55, Totam contributed 51 and Faruque made an useful 31.

Meherpur, in their chase, were all out for 185 in 41 overs.

Schools cricket scores

Safiuddin Sarker Academy and Motijheel Government High School yesterday reached their respective group finals of the 16th national schools cricket championship, being held at different city venues, reports UNB.

On way to the Group 10 final, Safiuddin Sarker Academy smashed South Bridge School by 107 runs in the group semis at the City Club ground.

Batting first, Safiuddin Sarker Academy scored 174 runs for in 33 overs with Masud contributing 64 runs. In reply, South Bridge were bundled out for 67 in 22.1 overs.

Motijheel Govt School moved to the Group 1 final beating Nilkhet High School by 16 runs in the semis at the T&T ground.

Motijheel were dismissed for 130 in 30.2 overs with Faysal making 33 runs. In reply, Nilkhet were all out for 114 in 27.1 overs.

In the day's other group engagements, Rabeya Pre-Cadet School, St Gregory's School, Mohakhali Model School and Chalet International School won their respective matches.

Rabeya-Pre-Cadet defeated Kakoli High by seven wickets at the Uttara Friends Club ground.

Batting first, Kakoli High scored 118 for nine in 35 overs. In reply, Rabeya Pre-Cadet reached their curtailed target of 52 for 3 in 13 overs. The target was reduced to 52 in 15 overs due to rain.

St Gregory's School defeated Armanitola Government High School by five wickets at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium.

Batting first, Armanitola scored 116 for four in 20 overs. In reply, St Gregory's made 119 for five in 19 overs with Riad adding 36 runs.

Mohakhali Model High School outplayed Dhanmondi Tutorial by 63 runs at the Mirpur Outer Stadium.

Mohakhali Model piled up 205 for all in 34.4 overs. In reply, Dhanmondi Tutorial were all out for 142 in 31 overs.

Chalet International School beat Nababpur Government High by three wickets at the Kalabagan ground.

Nababpur made 138 for seven in 25 overs. In reply, Chalet scored 140 for seven in 18.2 overs with Ovee making 52 runs.

Earlier, on Friday, Sunbeam School, Syed Nazim Pre-Cadet High School and Mastermind School reached their respective group finals.

Sunbeam moved to the Group 8 final with a massive eight wickets win over Aga Khan School in the semis.

Syed Nazim School moved to the Group 7 final beating Jatrabari PDB School by 68 runs.

On way to Group 6 final, Mastermind School defeated West Dhanmondi School by 4 wickets in the semis.

In the day's other matches, Moonlight KG School defeated Liberator Pre-Cadet School by 93 runs, St Gregory's School beat St Joseph's School by two wickets, Badda Bidyaniketon beat Bidyaniketon Pre-Cadet by 29 runs and Natun Kuri School outplayed T&T School by six wickets.


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Date-stamped : 07 Oct1998 - 04:17