Amits 213, Galibs 180 Sylhet Back in Title Race With Two Straight Wins

After four consecutive draws in the National Cricket League, Sylhet have bounced back with two straight victories. On Wednesday, they defeated Rajshahi Division by 10 wickets at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, returning strongly to the title race. Starting the round at the bottom of the points table, Sylhet have now climbed back to the top.

With only one win in their first five matches, the team lacked rhythm. Following back-to-back failures in the T20 league at home, the team’s performance in the longer format of the NCL had also mirrored that disappointment. To retain the championship, Sylhet desperately needed victories.

In this period of crisis, experienced pacer Abu Jayed Rahi emerged as the team’s savior. In the fifth match of the league, his nine-wicket haul across two innings against Chattogram Division secured Sylhet a much-needed win. Sylhet posted 255 runs in their first innings, with opener Zakir Hasan scoring 73, Rejaur Rahman Raja 57*, and Ashraful Islam Rihad adding 46. For Chattogram, Efran Hossain took 5 wickets for 65 runs.

Chattogram were bowled out for just 110 runs in reply, with Rahi taking 5 wickets. Sylhet then scored 207 in their second innings, setting Chattogram a target of 353. While attempting the chase, they crumbled under pressure as Rahi picked up 4 more wickets, handing Sylhet a massive 147-run victory. His 9 wickets in the match earned him the Player of the Match award.

In the sixth round, Sylhet entered their home ground even more confidently against Rajshahi Division. Rajshahi were bowled out for 237 in the first innings, with Nabil Samad picking up 4 wickets and Rahi bagging 3. Sylhet, however, stumbled early in their innings, losing two wickets for just 28 runs. Opener Mubin Ahmed Dishan fell for 1, and No. 3 batter Saikat Ali was dismissed for 12.

Then came the rebuilding act. Opener Zakir Hasan and No. 4 batter Asadullah Galib added 78 runs for the third wicket to stabilize the innings. Zakir departed for 60, but Galib remained firm, later joining hands with Amit Hasan for a monumental partnership. Together, they stitched a stunning 342-run stand for the fourth wicket, taking Sylhet to a commanding total.

Amit played a magnificent knock of 213 runs off 258 balls, smashing 28 fours and one six. Galib scored an equally impressive 180 off 298 deliveries, hitting 19 fours and 2 sixes. Rihad contributed an unbeaten 42. Sylhet declared their innings at 535 for 8 in 119.4 overs. For Rajshahi, Nahid Rana took 3 wickets for 88 runs, while Asaduzzaman Payel and Wasi Siddique picked up two wickets each.

Rajshahi made 333 in their second innings, thanks to a brilliant 143 from Prithom Kumar. As a result, Sylhet were left with a small target of 38 runs. Zakir Hasan (20*) and Mubin Ahmed Dishan (13*) chased it down comfortably in just 9.2 overs, sealing a dominant 10-wicket victory.

With this win, Sylhet have reclaimed the top spot in the National Cricket League points table. They now have 26 points from six matches, with four draws and two wins. Mymensingh Division sit second with 24 points. A win in their final match against Barishal Division would secure Sylhet a second consecutive NCL title.

Zakir Hasan, Amit Hasan, Asadullah Galib, Nabil Samad, and Abu Jayed Rahi played pivotal roles in the victory, lifting Sylhet back to the top with strong performances both with bat and ball.