Sylhet Wins 26th National Cricket League Title with One Match to Spare

Sylhet Division has clinched the 26th National Cricket League (NCL) title with one match to spare, following a thrilling 5-wicket victory over Barisal Division on Tuesday at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. This marks Sylhet's first-ever title in First-Class cricket, after finishing as runners-up in the previous two seasons.

The team has been in impressive form throughout the season, starting with a rain-affected draw in the first match, followed by two consecutive victories, another draw, and then a strong finish with two more wins to secure the championship.

For the first time in history, Sylhet has won the four-day format of the National Cricket League, with captain Rajin Saleh leading his side to this historic achievement. Previously, Sylhet had won the NCL’s One-Day format, but this is their maiden First-Class title.

Key Performances

Batting Struggles and Breakthroughs
While Sylhet's bowling attack was consistently strong, there were concerns over their batting. Despite a stellar performance from Amit Hasan, whose bat has been a major source of runs, other batters struggled to perform consistently. Alongside Amit, young Pinak Ghosh provided some hope, while Asadullah Al Galib also contributed with the bat in key moments.

However, one of the major challenges was the opening partnership. Toufik Khan Tushar struggled to build long innings, and Rahatul Ferdous Zubed, who had been performing well with the ball, failed to make an impact with the bat.

Absence of Zakir Hasan and Zakir Ali Anik
Sylhet was without regular players Zakir Hasan and Zakir Ali Anik for most of the season due to national duty, which forced the management to bring in Maishukor Rahman Riel as a replacement. Unfortunately, Riel's performance was disappointing, as he failed to deliver with the bat, disappointing both fans and management.

Young Talent Shines
In the absence of some regular players, it was the young talents who stepped up to fill the void. Mubin Ahmed Dishan, a rising star from the Bangladesh U-17 team, emerged as a reliable performer for Sylhet. Dishan's performances, including scores of 17, 21, 43, and 53, demonstrated his promise and potential. His consistency added depth to Sylhet's batting line-up.

Another promising talent, newcomer Tofail Ahmed, has also been making an impact. In his debut season, Tofail has showcased his all-round abilities, impressing with both the ball and bat. He started off with a stunning 47* off 34 balls, including six sixes, against Dhaka Metro. Against Barisal, Tofail's contribution was crucial — he scored 64 runs in the first innings and also took 3 wickets, helping Sylhet secure a significant lead.

Amit Hasan: The Captain and Batting Star
Amit Hasan was the cornerstone of Sylhet's batting line-up. As captain, he not only led from the front but also delivered crucial performances with the bat. He scored 623 runs in 6 matches, including one century, one double century, and 3 fifties, averaging almost 47 runs per innings. His leadership and batting were key to Sylhet's success.

Pinak Ghosh, with 350 runs in 6 matches, played an important supporting role alongside Amit. Asadullah Al Galib also contributed significantly with the bat, scoring 297 runs.

Bowling Performances and Key Contributions
While batting was a concern, Sylhet’s bowling attack was impressive throughout the season. The standout bowler was Nasum Ahmed, who redefined his role as a batting all-rounder. Nasum scored 53 runs in the first innings and followed it up with a match-winning knock of 44 runs off 52 balls in the chase. He also claimed 3 wickets in the match, contributing to Sylhet’s dominant performance.

Razaur Rahman Raja has been another revelation with the ball, continuing his solid form since his debut. Raja claimed 20 wickets in 8 innings across 4 matches, including a 5-wicket haul in the first innings against Barisal. His all-round contributions have been vital for Sylhet’s success.

Khaleed Ahmed’s Comeback
After being dropped from the Bangladesh Test squad following the tour of India, Khaleed Ahmed found his rhythm in the National Cricket League. He has been in great form for Sylhet, picking up 24 wickets in the season and playing a crucial role in their title win, including a 4-wicket haul against Barisal.

The Road to the Title

Sylhet’s title victory was a collective effort, with contributions coming from all corners of the squad. In the final match against Barisal, Sylhet's balanced attack and solid performances with both bat and ball secured them the win. With a score of 342 runs in their first innings, Sylhet built a strong foundation. The match saw contributions from Amit Hasan (56), Nasum Ahmed (53), and Dishan (53), while Tofail’s all-round performance helped seal the victory.

With this historic win, Sylhet has firmly established itself as a force in domestic First-Class cricket. The team will look to build on this success as they continue to develop young talent and improve their overall squad depth.