Shadman Islam smashed the first century of the second edition of NCL T20 as Dhaka Metro thrashed Barishal Division by 96 runs at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.聽
After being asked to bat first, openers Shadman and Mahfijul Alam set a record 177-run partnership to power Metro to 197-6 in 20 overs, then bowlers skittled Barishal to 101 in 17.5 overs.
The previous highest of 148-run stand was held by Rajshahi鈥檚 Habibur Rahman and Najmul Hossain against Khulna.
Shadman played a 61-ball 101, hitting eleven fours and four sixes to complete his maiden ton in NCL T20, while Mahfijul accompanied him with 79 off 49, including nine boundaries and two sixes.
Iftakhar Hossain Ifti shone the brightest among the Barishal bowlers, taking 4-10.
Barishal batters were never in the game while chasing a daunting target, as Metro bowlers held them tight with disciplined bowling.
Azmir Ahmed top-scored with 26, while Zahiduzzaman (18), Fazle Mahmud (16) and Syful Islam Mohin (10) were the other batters to reach double figures.
Maruf Mridha was the pick of the Metro bowlers, picking up 3-15, while Abu Haider (2-15) and Rakibul Hasan (2-25) took two wickets each.
In the other match, Shakhir Hossain鈥檚 valiant 52 in 42 propelled Rajshahi to secure a four-wicket win over Rangpur in a last-over thriller at the same venue.
Chasing 144 runs, Rajshahi batters faltered and fell into a precarious position of 29-5 inside the powerplay.聽
However, Shakhir and Sabbbir Rahman鈥檚 late 74-run stand steadied their ship and helped them bounce back into the game.
Sabbir fell after a run-a-ball 35, but Shakhir continued and completed his half-century and took his team home, following an unbeaten 41-run partnership with Nihaduzzaman (27*).
Abu Hasim returned a figure of 4-7, while Musfik Hasan and Alauddin Babu took one each for Rangpur.
Metro sit at the third spot in the points table, Rangpur and Rajshahi are placed fifth and sixth, respectively, while Barishal are still yet to win a match.
