Another Century Against Khulna: Al Amin's 102, But Mymensingh Follow On

This round of the National Cricket League (NCL) produced four different stories, but one name dominated the headlines — Mymensingh off-spinning all-rounder Al Amin Jr, who scored a century against Khulna for a second successive season. Last time he finished unbeaten on 102 against the same opposition; this time he made 102 and was dismissed. The round's most unusual incident, however, came from Rajshahi, where the first two full days of the Barishal-Dhaka match were lost to a wet outfield — not rain, but moisture in the ground. When play finally began on day three, Barishal reached 266 for 8 by stumps, with wicketkeeper Mohammad Abdullah unbeaten on 62. Al Amin's innings will also be remembered for the manner in which it unfolded. He retired hurt on 101 and returned to bat only after the eighth wicket fell, adding one run off two balls before being dismissed, which took his total to 102. It was his fifth first-class century. The unbeaten 102 against Khulna last season was his fourth first-class hundred and ended a drought of six seasons. His last two first-class centuries have therefore come against the same opponent, with an identical score, a coincidence rarely seen in first-class cricket. An off-spinner who bats in Mymensingh's top order, Al Amin's form has been his team's biggest relief this round. But behind the personal milestone, the match itself is grim for Mymensingh. Following on, they reached 315 for 9 in the second innings, a lead of just 135. That means, clearly, that Mymensingh trailed by 180 runs on the first innings — subtract 135 from 315 and the figure follows. In four-day first-class cricket the follow-on applies at a first-innings lead of 150, so Khulna's decision was within the rules. In Mymensingh's second innings, Abdul Majid made 59, while Khulna off-spinner Sheikh Parvez took the fourth wicket. On the final day, the last pair can only look to extend the lead, because Khulna will need a target of only about 136 to win. Put plainly, this match is Khulna's to lose. The longer Mymensingh can hold on, the longer they keep it alive, but a side batting at nine wickets down will struggle to set a demanding target. Al Amin's century is significant for his own record, not for the team's result. In the Rajshahi-Rangpur match at Bogra, Rangpur were bowled out for 256. Rajshahi replied with 231 and trailed by 25. Batting in the second innings at 110 for 3, they now lead by 85 — so this match, too, is wide open. For Rangpur, opener Anik Sarkar made 75 and number five Iqbal Hossain made 70. Rajshahi medium pacer Asaduzzaman Payel took 5 for 64, the best individual bowling performance of the round. Those five wickets mattered for Rajshahi because Rangpur's innings stopped at 256; otherwise the Anik-Iqbal partnership could have carried the total further. Rajshahi's task now is clear: with an 85-run lead, they must keep Rangpur under pressure on the final day, and a side that has lost three wickets could not have asked for a better start. In the Chattogram-Sylhet match, both Sylhet innings ended on exactly 218 — the same total twice in one match, which is unusual in itself. After making 218 in the first innings, Sylhet bowled Chattogram out for 210 and took an eight-run lead. They made 218 again in the second innings, setting Chattogram a target of 227. The eight-run deficit did not shrink the target; it merely brought it to 227. Chattogram have reached 126 for 1 in the second innings. Openers Sadikur Rahman (58) and Shah Paran (51) are unbeaten, and the team needs 101 more runs to win. Sylhet now need nine wickets, so this match will also be decided on the final day. The most striking feature of this match is the performance of an unnamed left-arm spinner for Sylhet, who took four wickets in each innings — eight in the match — without his name being recorded anywhere. At one stage Sylhet's second innings stood at 139 for 7; number nine Tofayel Ahmed made 47 to carry the side past 200. Amit Hasan contributed 34 and 20 in this match. Chattogram are chasing their second win of the round. They need 101 on the final day, while Sylhet need nine wickets. On a surface helpful to bowlers, 101 is not a comfortable ask, and that is the real test of this match. In the Barishal-Dhaka match at Rajshahi, two days of play were lost to a wet outfield. Notably, there was no rain — moisture in the ground stopped play, which is unusual in itself. On day three Barishal made 266 for 8, with wicketkeeper Mohammad Abdullah unbeaten on 62. Whether a result is still possible after such heavy lost time is the biggest question; losing two whole days purely to a wet outfield is unusual in itself. The summary of this round is that all four matches remain open. Mymensingh lead by 135 despite following on, Rajshahi lead by 85, Chattogram need 101, and Barishal are 266 for 8. A result is possible at every venue on the final day — but Khulna have the clearest opportunity, and that is the thing said least plainly.